Approximately one-fifth of people residing in Germany struggle with affording a weeklong vacation.
In a recent survey conducted by Germany's Statistical Office (Destatis), it was revealed that the ability to afford a week-long vacation varies significantly across Europe. The survey, which aimed to assess the material and social quality of life, asked individuals if they live in a household that could afford to go on vacation for a week in 2024.
Across the EU, 27 percent of people live in households that could not afford a week's vacation. However, this percentage varies greatly among European countries. For instance, in Romania, nearly 60 percent of people could not afford to go on vacation in 2024. In contrast, in Luxembourg, only 9 percent of people reported being unable to afford a weeklong vacation.
Within Germany, the situation also varies significantly. In Bavaria, the lowest percentage was found, with under 15 percent of people reporting that they cannot afford a week's vacation. On the other hand, in Saarland, it was 28.8 percent, in Thuringia it was 24.2 percent, and in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania it was 24 percent. The percentage of people who can afford to go on a weeklong vacation also varies greatly across the German states, with approximately 17.4 million people in Germany being unable to afford a week's vacation.
The survey also revealed that the ability to afford a week-long vacation is influenced by household composition. Two-adult households without children were able to afford going on vacation most easily, with only 15 percent of people reporting living in a household that can't afford a vacation. However, two-parent households with three or more children found it particularly difficult to afford a week of vacation in 2024. Nearly one in three single adults living alone was also unable to afford a week of vacation last year.
Interestingly, 38 percent of people living in single-parent households were unable to afford a weeklong holiday in 2024. Bremen had the highest proportion of households that couldn't afford vacation at around 35 percent. In contrast, in Berlin and Bavaria, fewer than 15 percent of people reported living in households that were unable to afford a week of vacation last year.
While the survey provides valuable insights into vacation affordability across Europe and Germany, it does not provide specific data on the distribution of households by state and household type that can or cannot afford a week-long vacation. For more detailed information, it is recommended to consult Destatis directly via their official website or publications, where such socio-economic statistics are often published. Additionally, Eurostat occasionally provides comparative data on vacation affordability across European countries that might include Germany.
- The survey on material and social quality of life across Europe also delved into personal-finance aspects, revealing that general-news such as the affordability of a week-long vacation differs significantly even within a single country like Germany.
- A breakdown of the survey results showed that affording a week-long vacation is a challenge not only among European nations but also within Germany across various household types, with single-parent households and two-parent households with multiple children seemingly struggling the most.
