The European statistical office Eurostat released the latest data on people who had difficulty accessing housing. In 2023, around 4.9% across the EU. citizens aged 16 and over reported having experienced housing difficulties in their lives (a situation where a person did not have their own place to live and was forced to live in temporary accommodation).
This percentage was much higher in the case of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, amounting to 8.5%.
Graphics: Eurostat material
The EU countries with the highest rates of housing difficulties among people at risk of poverty or social exclusion are Denmark (18.4%), Finland (17.5%) and France (17.1%). However, the lowest rates were recorded in Poland (1.9%), Italy (2%) and Hungary (2.1%).
Across the EU, the highest rate of difficulties with renting was recorded among people aged 16-29 and 30-54, 14.8% and 14.8% respectively. and 14.7%, while for people aged 55-64 this rate dropped to 12.8% and for people aged 65 and older to 6.7%.
Data shows that people of all ages at risk of poverty or social exclusion suffer most from difficulties in renting. However, this pattern decreases with age.
