Eurostat: 27.5 Million Europeans face severe material deprivation in 2024

Despite modest improvements, 27.5 million people in the European Union continue to live in conditions of severe material and social deprivation, according to the latest data released by Eurostat for 2024. The figures highlight a persistent challenge for EU member states, with only a slight drop of 900,000 people compared to 2023.

These individuals face significant difficulties in meeting basic needs such as keeping their homes adequately warm, owning a car, taking a holiday, or covering essential bills and mortgage payments. Many are also unable to replace broken appliances, buy new clothes or shoes, or participate in recreational activities—all indicators of what Eurostat classifies as severe material and social deprivation.

Problem persists at pre-pandemic levels

The current numbers show that the scale of deprivation remains largely unchanged since 2019, when more than 28 million EU citizens were affected. Despite economic recovery efforts post-pandemic and various national support schemes, the index has fluctuated only slightly over the past five years, with no significant long-term reduction.

Worst-hit countries: Romania, Bulgaria and Greece

As of the end of 2024, Romania recorded the highest proportion of citizens living in severe deprivation at 17.2%, followed by Bulgaria (16.6%) and Greece (14.0%). These countries continue to struggle with persistent economic challenges despite EU-level funding and social cohesion programs.

Conversely, Slovenia (1.8%), Croatia (2.0%), and Poland (2.3%) reported the lowest rates of material deprivation, showing notable resilience or effectiveness in social safety nets.

Germany, France, Spain Lead in absolute numbers

While Eastern and Southern European countries top the rankings in percentage terms, Western European nations bear the highest absolute numbers of people in difficulty. Germany leads with 5.1 million people, followed by France (4.3 million) and Spain (3.9 million). Italy ranks fifth, with more than 2.7 million residents facing serious financial struggles.

Mild improvement in 2024

The overall EU-wide deprivation rate fell to 6.4%, marking a 0.4 percentage point improvement from the previous year. While this translates to nearly 900,000 fewer people at risk, analysts warn the decrease is modest and does not reflect a broader structural change.

The data paints a complex picture of Europe’s socio-economic recovery, indicating that while some regions are improving, millions across the continent still face daily hardship. Addressing this issue remains a pressing challenge for EU institutions and national governments alike.