Civitascope / Living conditions
Search Magyar

Making ends meet

Topic: Living conditions

In Greece, 35.0% of people live in a household that makes ends meet only with great difficulty, against 1.7% in the Netherlands.

In 2025, 6.4% of people in the EU lived in a household that made ends meet only with great difficulty. Households say this themselves in a survey.

Figures for:
2025.
Covers:
the time of the survey.
New data:
once a year.
Dataset updated:
20 October 2026.

Published 5 November 2026

27 / 27 EU countries ranked

The ranking

In 2025, the share of people whose household makes ends meet only with great difficulty was highest in Greece, at 35.0%, and lowest in the Netherlands, at 1.7%.

Share of people whose household makes ends meet only with great difficulty, %

2025 · living in a household that makes ends meet with great difficulty
010203040%
EU, 6.4 %
Rank 1: Greece, 35.0 %
Rank 2: Bulgaria, 11.0 %
Rank 3: Romania, 9.6 %
Rank 4: Spain, 8.5 %
Rank 4: Portugal, 8.5 %
Rank 6: France, 8.0 %
Rank 7: Slovakia, 7.9 %
Rank 8: Hungary, 7.5 %
Rank 8: Italy, 7.5 %
Rank 10: Ireland, 6.2 %
Rank 11: Belgium, 6.1 %
Rank 12: Cyprus, 4.9 %
Rank 13: Latvia, 4.7 %
Rank 14: Malta, 4.6 %
Rank 15: Austria, 4.2 %
Rank 16: Estonia, 4.1 %
Rank 16: Sweden, 4.1 %
Rank 18: Czechia, 4.0 %
Rank 18: Slovenia, 4.0 %
Rank 20: Croatia, 3.8 %
Rank 21: Denmark, 3.4 %
Rank 22: Finland, 2.7 %
Rank 23: Poland, 2.5 %
Rank 24: Luxembourg, 2.3 %
Rank 25: Germany, 2.1 %
Rank 26: Lithuania, 2.0 %
Rank 27: Netherlands, 1.7 %
How to read: bars start at zero. Every country with a value is shown, ranked from highest to lowest.Source: Eurostat, Inability to make ends meet (ilc_mdes09).Chart: Civitascope (civitascope.eu) · CC BY 4.0 · Download image · Download data ·

Below and above the poverty threshold

Among people above the poverty threshold, the gap between countries was narrower. Greece was again the highest, at 27.1%, and Lithuania the lowest, at 0.8%. The highest and the lowest were 26.3 percentage points apart.

Among people at risk of poverty, the gap between countries was much wider than among people above the poverty threshold. Lithuania was again the lowest, at 6.1%, and Greece again the highest, at 67.4%. The gap was 61.3 percentage points.

Share of people whose household makes ends meet only with great difficulty: above the poverty threshold and at risk of poverty, %

2025 · living in a household that makes ends meet with great difficulty
Above the poverty thresholdAt risk of povertyAt risk of poverty − above the poverty thresholdDifference
0204060pp
EU, Above the poverty threshold: 4.1 %, At risk of poverty: 17.8 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +13.7
Rank 1: Greece, Above the poverty threshold: 27.1 %, At risk of poverty: 67.4 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +40.3
Rank 2: Slovakia, Above the poverty threshold: 3.9 %, At risk of poverty: 36.4 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +32.5
Rank 3: Bulgaria, Above the poverty threshold: 6.6 %, At risk of poverty: 27.6 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +21.0
Rank 4: Romania, Above the poverty threshold: 6.0 %, At risk of poverty: 25.8 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +19.8
Rank 5: Belgium, Above the poverty threshold: 3.8 %, At risk of poverty: 25.4 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +21.6
Rank 6: Hungary, Above the poverty threshold: 4.9 %, At risk of poverty: 23.5 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +18.6
Rank 7: France, Above the poverty threshold: 5.1 %, At risk of poverty: 23.2 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +18.1
Rank 8: Czechia, Above the poverty threshold: 2.0 %, At risk of poverty: 22.2 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +20.2
Rank 9: Portugal, Above the poverty threshold: 6.1 %, At risk of poverty: 21.5 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +15.4
Rank 10: Cyprus, Above the poverty threshold: 2.4 %, At risk of poverty: 19.2 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +16.8
Rank 10: Spain, Above the poverty threshold: 5.9 %, At risk of poverty: 19.2 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +13.3
Rank 12: Italy, Above the poverty threshold: 5.0 %, At risk of poverty: 18.3 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +13.3
Rank 13: Ireland, Above the poverty threshold: 4.9 %, At risk of poverty: 15.2 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +10.3
Rank 14: Austria, Above the poverty threshold: 2.2 %, At risk of poverty: 14.7 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +12.5
Rank 15: Slovenia, Above the poverty threshold: 2.3 %, At risk of poverty: 14.2 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +11.9
Rank 16: Croatia, Above the poverty threshold: 1.5 %, At risk of poverty: 13.4 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +11.9
Rank 17: Malta, Above the poverty threshold: 2.8 %, At risk of poverty: 13.2 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +10.4
Rank 18: Latvia, Above the poverty threshold: 2.3 %, At risk of poverty: 13.0 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +10.7
Rank 19: Sweden, Above the poverty threshold: 2.7 %, At risk of poverty: 12.6 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +9.9
Rank 20: Estonia, Above the poverty threshold: 2.3 %, At risk of poverty: 11.4 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +9.1
Rank 21: Denmark, Above the poverty threshold: 2.4 %, At risk of poverty: 10.7 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +8.3
Rank 22: Poland, Above the poverty threshold: 1.5 %, At risk of poverty: 9.4 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +7.9
Rank 23: Finland, Above the poverty threshold: 1.7 %, At risk of poverty: 8.6 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +6.9
Rank 24: Luxembourg, Above the poverty threshold: 1.3 %, At risk of poverty: 8.4 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +7.1
Rank 25: Netherlands, Above the poverty threshold: 1.0 %, At risk of poverty: 6.6 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +5.6
Rank 26: Germany, Above the poverty threshold: 1.3 %, At risk of poverty: 6.3 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +5.0
Rank 27: Lithuania, Above the poverty threshold: 0.8 %, At risk of poverty: 6.1 %, At risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold: +5.3
How to read: the filled dot is at risk of poverty, the outlined dot above the poverty threshold, each with its value beside it. The column on the right is their difference, at risk of poverty − above the poverty threshold. Countries are ranked by at risk of poverty.Source: Eurostat, Inability to make ends meet (ilc_mdes09).Chart: Civitascope (civitascope.eu) · CC BY 4.0 · Download image · Download data ·
EveryoneAbove the poverty thresholdAt risk of poverty
Lowest1.7%the Netherlands0.8%Lithuania6.1%Lithuania
Highest35.0%Greece27.1%Greece67.4%Greece
Highest − lowest33.3 pp26.3 pp61.3 pp

Everyone

Lowest: 1.7% (the Netherlands)Highest: 35.0% (Greece)Highest − lowest: 33.3 pp

Above the poverty threshold

Lowest: 0.8% (Lithuania)Highest: 27.1% (Greece)Highest − lowest: 26.3 pp

At risk of poverty

Lowest: 6.1% (Lithuania)Highest: 67.4% (Greece)Highest − lowest: 61.3 pp

All six answers

In 2025, 11.2% of people in the EU lived in a household that made ends meet with difficulty, and 7.0% in one that made ends meet very easily.

Share of people by how easily their household makes ends meet, %

2025
with great difficultywith difficultywith some difficultyfairly easilyeasilyvery easily
EU, with great difficulty: 6.4 %,with difficulty: 11.2 %,with some difficulty: 24.9 %,fairly easily: 31.2 %,easily: 19.4 %,very easily: 7.0 %,
Rank 1: Greece, with great difficulty: 35.0 %,with difficulty: 32.2 %,with some difficulty: 19.9 %,fairly easily: 8.8 %,easily: 3.7 %,very easily: 0.5 %,
Rank 2: Bulgaria, with great difficulty: 11.0 %,with difficulty: 25.1 %,with some difficulty: 40.8 %,fairly easily: 18.9 %,easily: 3.8 %,very easily: 0.4 %,
Rank 3: Romania, with great difficulty: 9.6 %,with difficulty: 13.8 %,with some difficulty: 42.7 %,fairly easily: 24.9 %,easily: 7.9 %,very easily: 1.1 %,
Rank 4: Spain, with great difficulty: 8.5 %,with difficulty: 12.1 %,with some difficulty: 25.3 %,fairly easily: 29.8 %,easily: 20.5 %,very easily: 3.7 %,
Rank 4: Portugal, with great difficulty: 8.5 %,with difficulty: 11.8 %,with some difficulty: 33.7 %,fairly easily: 29.6 %,easily: 14.2 %,very easily: 2.2 %,
Rank 6: France, with great difficulty: 8.0 %,with difficulty: 13.7 %,with some difficulty: 19.4 %,fairly easily: 28.7 %,easily: 23.1 %,very easily: 7.1 %,
Rank 7: Slovakia, with great difficulty: 7.9 %,with difficulty: 15.2 %,with some difficulty: 37.7 %,fairly easily: 31.4 %,easily: 6.5 %,very easily: 1.4 %,
Rank 8: Hungary, with great difficulty: 7.5 %,with difficulty: 12.6 %,with some difficulty: 29.4 %,fairly easily: 39.0 %,easily: 9.9 %,very easily: 1.6 %,
Rank 8: Italy, with great difficulty: 7.5 %,with difficulty: 14.9 %,with some difficulty: 41.2 %,fairly easily: 27.8 %,easily: 7.4 %,very easily: 1.2 %,
Rank 10: Ireland, with great difficulty: 6.2 %,with difficulty: 9.7 %,with some difficulty: 30.4 %,fairly easily: 34.7 %,easily: 12.5 %,very easily: 6.5 %,
Rank 11: Belgium, with great difficulty: 6.1 %,with difficulty: 9.4 %,with some difficulty: 17.2 %,fairly easily: 27.0 %,easily: 29.5 %,very easily: 10.9 %,
Rank 12: Cyprus, with great difficulty: 4.9 %,with difficulty: 13.3 %,with some difficulty: 20.1 %,fairly easily: 28.2 %,easily: 22.2 %,very easily: 11.3 %,
Rank 13: Latvia, with great difficulty: 4.7 %,with difficulty: 15.3 %,with some difficulty: 33.7 %,fairly easily: 32.8 %,easily: 12.0 %,very easily: 1.5 %,
Rank 14: Malta, with great difficulty: 4.6 %,with difficulty: 10.5 %,with some difficulty: 32.9 %,fairly easily: 33.8 %,easily: 15.3 %,very easily: 3.1 %,
Rank 15: Austria, with great difficulty: 4.2 %,with difficulty: 7.6 %,with some difficulty: 22.4 %,fairly easily: 33.3 %,easily: 20.6 %,very easily: 11.9 %,
Rank 16: Estonia, with great difficulty: 4.1 %,with difficulty: 9.3 %,with some difficulty: 33.7 %,fairly easily: 32.8 %,easily: 16.4 %,very easily: 3.8 %,
Rank 16: Sweden, with great difficulty: 4.1 %,with difficulty: 6.0 %,with some difficulty: 13.7 %,fairly easily: 31.6 %,easily: 23.1 %,very easily: 21.5 %,
Rank 18: Czechia, with great difficulty: 4.0 %,with difficulty: 9.8 %,with some difficulty: 28.3 %,fairly easily: 39.8 %,easily: 14.3 %,very easily: 3.8 %,
Rank 18: Slovenia, with great difficulty: 4.0 %,with difficulty: 11.3 %,with some difficulty: 28.1 %,fairly easily: 33.3 %,easily: 19.6 %,very easily: 3.7 %,
Rank 20: Croatia, with great difficulty: 3.8 %,with difficulty: 15.3 %,with some difficulty: 43.1 %,fairly easily: 29.4 %,easily: 6.9 %,very easily: 1.5 %,
Rank 21: Denmark, with great difficulty: 3.4 %,with difficulty: 8.6 %,with some difficulty: 17.3 %,fairly easily: 26.6 %,easily: 24.5 %,very easily: 19.6 %,
Rank 22: Finland, with great difficulty: 2.7 %,with difficulty: 6.3 %,with some difficulty: 16.7 %,fairly easily: 34.7 %,easily: 24.7 %,very easily: 15.0 %,
Rank 23: Poland, with great difficulty: 2.5 %,with difficulty: 8.7 %,with some difficulty: 32.3 %,fairly easily: 38.9 %,easily: 13.7 %,very easily: 3.9 %,
Rank 24: Luxembourg, with great difficulty: 2.3 %,with difficulty: 4.8 %,with some difficulty: 15.3 %,fairly easily: 30.8 %,easily: 30.8 %,very easily: 16.0 %,
Rank 25: Germany, with great difficulty: 2.1 %,with difficulty: 5.3 %,with some difficulty: 10.9 %,fairly easily: 38.5 %,easily: 30.8 %,very easily: 12.3 %,
Rank 26: Lithuania, with great difficulty: 2.0 %,with difficulty: 9.8 %,with some difficulty: 47.5 %,fairly easily: 30.9 %,easily: 8.3 %,very easily: 1.5 %,
Rank 27: Netherlands, with great difficulty: 1.7 %,with difficulty: 5.6 %,with some difficulty: 12.5 %,fairly easily: 23.8 %,easily: 36.1 %,very easily: 20.3 %,
with great difficultywith difficultywith some difficultyfairly easily
EU, with great difficulty: 6.4 %,with difficulty: 11.2 %,with some difficulty: 24.9 %,fairly easily: 31.2 %,
Rank 1: Greece, with great difficulty: 35.0 %,with difficulty: 32.2 %,with some difficulty: 19.9 %,fairly easily: 8.8 %,
Rank 2: Bulgaria, with great difficulty: 11.0 %,with difficulty: 25.1 %,with some difficulty: 40.8 %,fairly easily: 18.9 %,
Rank 3: Romania, with great difficulty: 9.6 %,with difficulty: 13.8 %,with some difficulty: 42.7 %,fairly easily: 24.9 %,
Rank 4: Spain, with great difficulty: 8.5 %,with difficulty: 12.1 %,with some difficulty: 25.3 %,fairly easily: 29.8 %,
Rank 4: Portugal, with great difficulty: 8.5 %,with difficulty: 11.8 %,with some difficulty: 33.7 %,fairly easily: 29.6 %,
Rank 6: France, with great difficulty: 8.0 %,with difficulty: 13.7 %,with some difficulty: 19.4 %,fairly easily: 28.7 %,
Rank 7: Slovakia, with great difficulty: 7.9 %,with difficulty: 15.2 %,with some difficulty: 37.7 %,fairly easily: 31.4 %,
Rank 8: Hungary, with great difficulty: 7.5 %,with difficulty: 12.6 %,with some difficulty: 29.4 %,fairly easily: 39.0 %,
Rank 8: Italy, with great difficulty: 7.5 %,with difficulty: 14.9 %,with some difficulty: 41.2 %,fairly easily: 27.8 %,
Rank 10: Ireland, with great difficulty: 6.2 %,with difficulty: 9.7 %,with some difficulty: 30.4 %,fairly easily: 34.7 %,
Rank 11: Belgium, with great difficulty: 6.1 %,with difficulty: 9.4 %,with some difficulty: 17.2 %,fairly easily: 27.0 %,
Rank 12: Cyprus, with great difficulty: 4.9 %,with difficulty: 13.3 %,with some difficulty: 20.1 %,fairly easily: 28.2 %,
Rank 13: Latvia, with great difficulty: 4.7 %,with difficulty: 15.3 %,with some difficulty: 33.7 %,fairly easily: 32.8 %,
Rank 14: Malta, with great difficulty: 4.6 %,with difficulty: 10.5 %,with some difficulty: 32.9 %,fairly easily: 33.8 %,
Rank 15: Austria, with great difficulty: 4.2 %,with difficulty: 7.6 %,with some difficulty: 22.4 %,fairly easily: 33.3 %,
Rank 16: Estonia, with great difficulty: 4.1 %,with difficulty: 9.3 %,with some difficulty: 33.7 %,fairly easily: 32.8 %,
Rank 16: Sweden, with great difficulty: 4.1 %,with difficulty: 6.0 %,with some difficulty: 13.7 %,fairly easily: 31.6 %,
Rank 18: Czechia, with great difficulty: 4.0 %,with difficulty: 9.8 %,with some difficulty: 28.3 %,fairly easily: 39.8 %,
Rank 18: Slovenia, with great difficulty: 4.0 %,with difficulty: 11.3 %,with some difficulty: 28.1 %,fairly easily: 33.3 %,
Rank 20: Croatia, with great difficulty: 3.8 %,with difficulty: 15.3 %,with some difficulty: 43.1 %,fairly easily: 29.4 %,
Rank 21: Denmark, with great difficulty: 3.4 %,with difficulty: 8.6 %,with some difficulty: 17.3 %,fairly easily: 26.6 %,
Rank 22: Finland, with great difficulty: 2.7 %,with difficulty: 6.3 %,with some difficulty: 16.7 %,fairly easily: 34.7 %,
Rank 23: Poland, with great difficulty: 2.5 %,with difficulty: 8.7 %,with some difficulty: 32.3 %,fairly easily: 38.9 %,
Rank 24: Luxembourg, with great difficulty: 2.3 %,with difficulty: 4.8 %,with some difficulty: 15.3 %,fairly easily: 30.8 %,
Rank 25: Germany, with great difficulty: 2.1 %,with difficulty: 5.3 %,with some difficulty: 10.9 %,fairly easily: 38.5 %,
Rank 26: Lithuania, with great difficulty: 2.0 %,with difficulty: 9.8 %,with some difficulty: 47.5 %,fairly easily: 30.9 %,
Rank 27: Netherlands, with great difficulty: 1.7 %,with difficulty: 5.6 %,with some difficulty: 12.5 %,fairly easily: 23.8 %,
with great difficultyeasilyvery easily
EU, with great difficulty: 6.4 %,easily: 19.4 %,very easily: 7.0 %,
Rank 1: Greece, with great difficulty: 35.0 %,easily: 3.7 %,very easily: 0.5 %,
Rank 2: Bulgaria, with great difficulty: 11.0 %,easily: 3.8 %,very easily: 0.4 %,
Rank 3: Romania, with great difficulty: 9.6 %,easily: 7.9 %,very easily: 1.1 %,
Rank 4: Spain, with great difficulty: 8.5 %,easily: 20.5 %,very easily: 3.7 %,
Rank 4: Portugal, with great difficulty: 8.5 %,easily: 14.2 %,very easily: 2.2 %,
Rank 6: France, with great difficulty: 8.0 %,easily: 23.1 %,very easily: 7.1 %,
Rank 7: Slovakia, with great difficulty: 7.9 %,easily: 6.5 %,very easily: 1.4 %,
Rank 8: Hungary, with great difficulty: 7.5 %,easily: 9.9 %,very easily: 1.6 %,
Rank 8: Italy, with great difficulty: 7.5 %,easily: 7.4 %,very easily: 1.2 %,
Rank 10: Ireland, with great difficulty: 6.2 %,easily: 12.5 %,very easily: 6.5 %,
Rank 11: Belgium, with great difficulty: 6.1 %,easily: 29.5 %,very easily: 10.9 %,
Rank 12: Cyprus, with great difficulty: 4.9 %,easily: 22.2 %,very easily: 11.3 %,
Rank 13: Latvia, with great difficulty: 4.7 %,easily: 12.0 %,very easily: 1.5 %,
Rank 14: Malta, with great difficulty: 4.6 %,easily: 15.3 %,very easily: 3.1 %,
Rank 15: Austria, with great difficulty: 4.2 %,easily: 20.6 %,very easily: 11.9 %,
Rank 16: Estonia, with great difficulty: 4.1 %,easily: 16.4 %,very easily: 3.8 %,
Rank 16: Sweden, with great difficulty: 4.1 %,easily: 23.1 %,very easily: 21.5 %,
Rank 18: Czechia, with great difficulty: 4.0 %,easily: 14.3 %,very easily: 3.8 %,
Rank 18: Slovenia, with great difficulty: 4.0 %,easily: 19.6 %,very easily: 3.7 %,
Rank 20: Croatia, with great difficulty: 3.8 %,easily: 6.9 %,very easily: 1.5 %,
Rank 21: Denmark, with great difficulty: 3.4 %,easily: 24.5 %,very easily: 19.6 %,
Rank 22: Finland, with great difficulty: 2.7 %,easily: 24.7 %,very easily: 15.0 %,
Rank 23: Poland, with great difficulty: 2.5 %,easily: 13.7 %,very easily: 3.9 %,
Rank 24: Luxembourg, with great difficulty: 2.3 %,easily: 30.8 %,very easily: 16.0 %,
Rank 25: Germany, with great difficulty: 2.1 %,easily: 30.8 %,very easily: 12.3 %,
Rank 26: Lithuania, with great difficulty: 2.0 %,easily: 8.3 %,very easily: 1.5 %,
Rank 27: Netherlands, with great difficulty: 1.7 %,easily: 36.1 %,very easily: 20.3 %,
How to read: one row per country, one column per group, each value in its cell. The stronger the colour, the higher the value. Countries are ranked by the “with great difficulty” column.Source: Eurostat, Inability to make ends meet (ilc_mdes09).Chart: Civitascope (civitascope.eu) · CC BY 4.0 · Download image · Download data ·

Household types

In 2025, 13.2% of people in single-parent households in the EU made ends meet only with great difficulty, against 4.1% of people in households of two adults.

Share of people whose household makes ends meet only with great difficulty, by household type, %

2025
allalone, under 65alone, 65+single parent2 adults, 3+ children2 adults
EU, all: 6.4 %,alone, under 65: 8.2 %,alone, 65+: 7.1 %,single parent: 13.2 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 10.3 %,2 adults: 4.1 %,
Rank 1: Greece, all: 35.0 %,alone, under 65: 42.0 %,alone, 65+: 55.0 %,single parent: 53.3 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 40.8 %,2 adults: 31.6 %,
Rank 2: Bulgaria, all: 11.0 %,alone, under 65: 10.5 %,alone, 65+: 19.1 %,single parent: 20.0 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 24.5 %,2 adults: 10.7 %,
Rank 3: Romania, all: 9.6 %,alone, under 65: 9.1 %,alone, 65+: 12.8 %,single parent: 24.2 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 21.4 %,2 adults: 6.7 %,
Rank 4: Spain, all: 8.5 %,alone, under 65: 11.5 %,alone, 65+: 5.7 %,single parent: 19.6 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 14.7 %,2 adults: 5.9 %,
Rank 4: Portugal, all: 8.5 %,alone, under 65: 11.6 %,alone, 65+: 11.5 %,single parent: 19.5 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 7.3 %,2 adults: 6.9 %,
Rank 6: France, all: 8.0 %,alone, under 65: 10.2 %,alone, 65+: 5.9 %,single parent: 19.6 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 13.2 %,2 adults: 3.7 %,
Rank 7: Slovakia, all: 7.9 %,alone, under 65: 10.0 %,alone, 65+: 19.5 %,single parent: 22.2 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 18.3 %,2 adults: 8.1 %,
Rank 8: Hungary, all: 7.5 %,alone, under 65: 8.0 %,alone, 65+: 8.5 %,single parent: 13.4 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 11.3 %,2 adults: 5.0 %,
Rank 8: Italy, all: 7.5 %,alone, under 65: 9.5 %,alone, 65+: 9.3 %,single parent: 12.0 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 17.2 %,2 adults: 5.1 %,
Rank 10: Ireland, all: 6.2 %,alone, under 65: 12.2 %,alone, 65+: 5.9 %,single parent: 18.8 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 7.5 %,2 adults: 3.3 %,
Rank 11: Belgium, all: 6.1 %,alone, under 65: 10.3 %,alone, 65+: 5.6 %,single parent: 11.7 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 10.1 %,2 adults: 3.2 %,
Rank 12: Cyprus, all: 4.9 %,alone, under 65: 6.6 %,alone, 65+: 4.3 %,single parent: 20.1 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 8.0 %,2 adults: 4.6 %,
Rank 13: Latvia, all: 4.7 %,alone, under 65: 7.8 %,alone, 65+: 9.0 %,single parent: 5.6 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.1 %,2 adults: 3.0 %,
Rank 14: Malta, all: 4.6 %,alone, under 65: 4.9 %,alone, 65+: 3.1 %,single parent: 16.0 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 6.4 %,2 adults: 3.6 %,
Rank 15: Austria, all: 4.2 %,alone, under 65: 8.8 %,alone, 65+: 6.0 %,single parent: 12.3 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 5.0 %,2 adults: 1.8 %,
Rank 16: Estonia, all: 4.1 %,alone, under 65: 5.7 %,alone, 65+: 3.7 %,single parent: 13.5 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.7 %,2 adults: 1.8 %,
Rank 16: Sweden, all: 4.1 %,alone, under 65: 7.6 %,alone, 65+: 2.6 %,single parent: 10.6 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 6.8 %,2 adults: 1.9 %,
Rank 18: Czechia, all: 4.0 %,alone, under 65: 6.0 %,alone, 65+: 3.6 %,single parent: 13.1 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 15.0 %,2 adults: 2.1 %,
Rank 18: Slovenia, all: 4.0 %,alone, under 65: 6.4 %,alone, 65+: 9.4 %,single parent: 18.1 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 6.0 %,2 adults: 2.5 %,
Rank 20: Croatia, all: 3.8 %,alone, under 65: 8.1 %,alone, 65+: 11.4 %,single parent: 3.6 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.9 %,2 adults: 4.6 %,
Rank 21: Denmark, all: 3.4 %,alone, under 65: 7.2 %,alone, 65+: 2.7 %,single parent: 9.2 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 5.6 %,2 adults: 1.7 %,
Rank 22: Finland, all: 2.7 %,alone, under 65: 6.7 %,alone, 65+: 1.1 %,single parent: 8.2 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.1 %,2 adults: 1.4 %,
Rank 23: Poland, all: 2.5 %,alone, under 65: 6.9 %,alone, 65+: 5.0 %,single parent: 6.2 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.3 %,2 adults: 2.3 %,
Rank 24: Luxembourg, all: 2.3 %,alone, under 65: 3.3 %,alone, 65+: 1.3 %,single parent: 12.0 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.6 %,2 adults: 1.2 %,
Rank 25: Germany, all: 2.1 %,alone, under 65: 3.9 %,alone, 65+: 2.3 %,single parent: 3.6 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 2.4 %,2 adults: 1.5 %,
Rank 26: Lithuania, all: 2.0 %,alone, under 65: 4.0 %,alone, 65+: 3.2 %,single parent: 3.0 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 1.8 %,2 adults: 1.7 %,
Rank 27: Netherlands, all: 1.7 %,alone, under 65: 5.4 %,alone, 65+: 0.6 %,single parent: 4.7 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 1.2 %,2 adults: 0.8 %,
allalone, under 65alone, 65+single parent
EU, all: 6.4 %,alone, under 65: 8.2 %,alone, 65+: 7.1 %,single parent: 13.2 %,
Rank 1: Greece, all: 35.0 %,alone, under 65: 42.0 %,alone, 65+: 55.0 %,single parent: 53.3 %,
Rank 2: Bulgaria, all: 11.0 %,alone, under 65: 10.5 %,alone, 65+: 19.1 %,single parent: 20.0 %,
Rank 3: Romania, all: 9.6 %,alone, under 65: 9.1 %,alone, 65+: 12.8 %,single parent: 24.2 %,
Rank 4: Spain, all: 8.5 %,alone, under 65: 11.5 %,alone, 65+: 5.7 %,single parent: 19.6 %,
Rank 4: Portugal, all: 8.5 %,alone, under 65: 11.6 %,alone, 65+: 11.5 %,single parent: 19.5 %,
Rank 6: France, all: 8.0 %,alone, under 65: 10.2 %,alone, 65+: 5.9 %,single parent: 19.6 %,
Rank 7: Slovakia, all: 7.9 %,alone, under 65: 10.0 %,alone, 65+: 19.5 %,single parent: 22.2 %,
Rank 8: Hungary, all: 7.5 %,alone, under 65: 8.0 %,alone, 65+: 8.5 %,single parent: 13.4 %,
Rank 8: Italy, all: 7.5 %,alone, under 65: 9.5 %,alone, 65+: 9.3 %,single parent: 12.0 %,
Rank 10: Ireland, all: 6.2 %,alone, under 65: 12.2 %,alone, 65+: 5.9 %,single parent: 18.8 %,
Rank 11: Belgium, all: 6.1 %,alone, under 65: 10.3 %,alone, 65+: 5.6 %,single parent: 11.7 %,
Rank 12: Cyprus, all: 4.9 %,alone, under 65: 6.6 %,alone, 65+: 4.3 %,single parent: 20.1 %,
Rank 13: Latvia, all: 4.7 %,alone, under 65: 7.8 %,alone, 65+: 9.0 %,single parent: 5.6 %,
Rank 14: Malta, all: 4.6 %,alone, under 65: 4.9 %,alone, 65+: 3.1 %,single parent: 16.0 %,
Rank 15: Austria, all: 4.2 %,alone, under 65: 8.8 %,alone, 65+: 6.0 %,single parent: 12.3 %,
Rank 16: Estonia, all: 4.1 %,alone, under 65: 5.7 %,alone, 65+: 3.7 %,single parent: 13.5 %,
Rank 16: Sweden, all: 4.1 %,alone, under 65: 7.6 %,alone, 65+: 2.6 %,single parent: 10.6 %,
Rank 18: Czechia, all: 4.0 %,alone, under 65: 6.0 %,alone, 65+: 3.6 %,single parent: 13.1 %,
Rank 18: Slovenia, all: 4.0 %,alone, under 65: 6.4 %,alone, 65+: 9.4 %,single parent: 18.1 %,
Rank 20: Croatia, all: 3.8 %,alone, under 65: 8.1 %,alone, 65+: 11.4 %,single parent: 3.6 %,
Rank 21: Denmark, all: 3.4 %,alone, under 65: 7.2 %,alone, 65+: 2.7 %,single parent: 9.2 %,
Rank 22: Finland, all: 2.7 %,alone, under 65: 6.7 %,alone, 65+: 1.1 %,single parent: 8.2 %,
Rank 23: Poland, all: 2.5 %,alone, under 65: 6.9 %,alone, 65+: 5.0 %,single parent: 6.2 %,
Rank 24: Luxembourg, all: 2.3 %,alone, under 65: 3.3 %,alone, 65+: 1.3 %,single parent: 12.0 %,
Rank 25: Germany, all: 2.1 %,alone, under 65: 3.9 %,alone, 65+: 2.3 %,single parent: 3.6 %,
Rank 26: Lithuania, all: 2.0 %,alone, under 65: 4.0 %,alone, 65+: 3.2 %,single parent: 3.0 %,
Rank 27: Netherlands, all: 1.7 %,alone, under 65: 5.4 %,alone, 65+: 0.6 %,single parent: 4.7 %,
all2 adults, 3+ children2 adults
EU, all: 6.4 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 10.3 %,2 adults: 4.1 %,
Rank 1: Greece, all: 35.0 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 40.8 %,2 adults: 31.6 %,
Rank 2: Bulgaria, all: 11.0 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 24.5 %,2 adults: 10.7 %,
Rank 3: Romania, all: 9.6 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 21.4 %,2 adults: 6.7 %,
Rank 4: Spain, all: 8.5 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 14.7 %,2 adults: 5.9 %,
Rank 4: Portugal, all: 8.5 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 7.3 %,2 adults: 6.9 %,
Rank 6: France, all: 8.0 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 13.2 %,2 adults: 3.7 %,
Rank 7: Slovakia, all: 7.9 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 18.3 %,2 adults: 8.1 %,
Rank 8: Hungary, all: 7.5 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 11.3 %,2 adults: 5.0 %,
Rank 8: Italy, all: 7.5 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 17.2 %,2 adults: 5.1 %,
Rank 10: Ireland, all: 6.2 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 7.5 %,2 adults: 3.3 %,
Rank 11: Belgium, all: 6.1 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 10.1 %,2 adults: 3.2 %,
Rank 12: Cyprus, all: 4.9 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 8.0 %,2 adults: 4.6 %,
Rank 13: Latvia, all: 4.7 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.1 %,2 adults: 3.0 %,
Rank 14: Malta, all: 4.6 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 6.4 %,2 adults: 3.6 %,
Rank 15: Austria, all: 4.2 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 5.0 %,2 adults: 1.8 %,
Rank 16: Estonia, all: 4.1 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.7 %,2 adults: 1.8 %,
Rank 16: Sweden, all: 4.1 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 6.8 %,2 adults: 1.9 %,
Rank 18: Czechia, all: 4.0 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 15.0 %,2 adults: 2.1 %,
Rank 18: Slovenia, all: 4.0 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 6.0 %,2 adults: 2.5 %,
Rank 20: Croatia, all: 3.8 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.9 %,2 adults: 4.6 %,
Rank 21: Denmark, all: 3.4 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 5.6 %,2 adults: 1.7 %,
Rank 22: Finland, all: 2.7 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.1 %,2 adults: 1.4 %,
Rank 23: Poland, all: 2.5 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.3 %,2 adults: 2.3 %,
Rank 24: Luxembourg, all: 2.3 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 3.6 %,2 adults: 1.2 %,
Rank 25: Germany, all: 2.1 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 2.4 %,2 adults: 1.5 %,
Rank 26: Lithuania, all: 2.0 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 1.8 %,2 adults: 1.7 %,
Rank 27: Netherlands, all: 1.7 %,2 adults, 3+ children: 1.2 %,2 adults: 0.8 %,
How to read: one row per country, one column per group, each value in its cell. The stronger the colour, the higher the value. Countries are ranked by the “all” column.Source: Eurostat, Inability to make ends meet (ilc_mdes09).Chart: Civitascope (civitascope.eu) · CC BY 4.0 · Download image · Download data ·

About the data

The share of people living in private households, by how easily or with what difficulty their household says it can pay its usual necessary expenses from its total net income.

Counted: living in a household that makes ends meet with great difficulty.

Eurostat: “Ability to make ends meet is a subjective measure used in social surveys, such as EU-SILC, to assess how easily a household can cover its usual necessary expenses with its total net income (after taxes and social contributions). It reflects perceived financial strain and complements objective indicators of income and material deprivation.” (source)

EU statistics on income and living conditions (EU-SILC), a yearly sample survey of households run by the national statistical institutes. The answer is the household respondent's own assessment, and every member of the household is counted with it.

How to read these numbers

How it is measured

The survey covers people living in private households. People in collective households and institutions are generally not included (Estonia includes collective households).

One respondent answers for the whole household. The answer says how easily the household can pay its usual necessary expenses. Every member of the household is counted with that answer. The usual expenses include housing costs and leave out business and farm costs.

The figure counts only the hardest of the six answers, "with great difficulty". Eurostat's subjective poverty rate also counts the people whose household answers "with difficulty". It is therefore higher.

People at risk of poverty are those whose equivalised disposable income is below their country's at-risk-of-poverty threshold. The threshold is derived from each country's own median income. It is therefore a different income level in each country. The income is that of the calendar year before the survey (in Ireland until 2019, the twelve months before the interview).

Provisional figures

A provisional value (flag p) may still be revised. This concerns Lithuania (2025).

Sources and data

Eurostat, Inability to make ends meet (ilc_mdes09). Data updated 20 October 2026, retrieved 5 November 2026. Licence: CC BY 4.0.

Eurostat metadata · Eurostat methodology

The exact Eurostat API query

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/api/dissemination/statistics/1.0/data/ilc_mdes09?format=JSON&lang=en&freq=A&geo=AT&geo=BE&geo=BG&geo=CY&geo=CZ&geo=DE&geo=DK&geo=EE&geo=EL&geo=ES&geo=EU27_2020&geo=FI&geo=FR&geo=HR&geo=HU&geo=IE&geo=IT&geo=LT&geo=LU&geo=LV&geo=MT&geo=NL&geo=PL&geo=PT&geo=RO&geo=SE&geo=SI&geo=SK&hhcomp=TOTAL&lev_diff=GRT&rskpovth=TOTAL&unit=PC

How every number in this story was computed

Related stories

All stories in Living conditions