A new report highlights the financial burden of housing costs for minimum-wage workers across Europe, with rent consuming between 35% and 56% of their income.
Key findings include:
– Rent as a Share of Income: The Netherlands tops the list, where minimum-wage earners spend 56% of their income on rent, followed by Ireland (55%) and Luxembourg (52%). France has the lowest share at 35%.
– Rent Costs: Average rents range from €215 in Bulgaria to €1,340 in Luxembourg. The average rent across 14 countries analyzed is €599.
– Minimum Wages: These vary from €477 in Bulgaria to €2,571 in Luxembourg, with only six countries exceeding €1,000.
Housing and utilities account for nearly 25% of household spending in the EU, according to Eurostat, with higher shares in Northern and Central Europe.
The report warns that rising costs and stagnant wages are leaving minimum-wage earners struggling to secure basic living conditions, especially in urban areas.
