Key figures on European living conditions – 2024 edition

This publication titled "Key Figures on European Living Conditions - 2024 Edition" was produced by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Eurostat is responsible for providing statistical information to the institutions of the European Union to enable comparisons between countries and regions. The report presents a selection of key statistical indicators regarding living conditions across the European Union (EU), EU member states, and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.

In 2023, the median annual disposable income in the EU was 19,955 PPS (purchasing power standards) per inhabitant. However, this figure varies significantly between countries, with Western and Nordic EU nations reporting the highest levels of disposable income, while southern, eastern, and Baltic countries show much lower income levels. This disparity highlights the economic inequalities that exist within Europe, which is essential to consider when discussing sustainable housing solutions.

The report indicates that 21.4% of the EU population, equating to approximately 94.6 million people, were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2023. This represents a slight decrease from 2022, indicating some progress; however, the figures remain alarmingly high. The severe material and social deprivation rate also presents concerning data, recorded at 6.8% in 2023, which is marginally up from 6.7% in the previous year. Notably, women experienced higher rates of deprivation (7.2%) compared to men (6.5%).

Housing affordability is a critical aspect of living conditions, and in 2023, 10.6% of individuals in the EU were unable to keep their homes adequately warm, an increase from the previous year's figure of 9.3%. Additionally, 45.4% of households reported facing at least some difficulty in making ends meet, emphasizing the economic strain many families experience in maintaining secure and sustainable living conditions.

The average life satisfaction rating among EU residents was 7.3 out of 10 in 2023, a figure that has remained unchanged since 2018. The report reveals significant disparities in many indicators, including income distribution and living conditions, between EU nations, urban and rural areas, as well as between citizens and non-citizens.

The publication offers data on various aspects, such as income distribution, poverty risk, material deprivation, economic strain, household composition, work intensity, childcare, health, disability, and life satisfaction. This data provides a comprehensive overview of living conditions across Europe, supported by visualizations and concise text explanations.

The statistics presented reflect the socioeconomic conditions prevalent in 2022 and 2023, particularly in light of severe inflation and the impacts stemming from the war in Ukraine. The publication primarily utilizes EU statistics on income and living conditions (EU-SILC) surveys to present its findings.

This report serves as a critical resource for policymakers, researchers, and citizens interested in understanding and analyzing living standards and social conditions throughout Europe. It supports the monitoring of EU policies and targets related to social rights and poverty reduction, underscoring the importance of sustainable housing initiatives in improving living conditions across the continent.