Greece tops EU list as 19% of population struggles to keep homes warm
Based on figures for 2024, Greece shares the highest position with Bulgaria, where 19% of the population report difficulties in maintaining sufficient indoor heating. The findings highlight the persistent social and economic pressures facing households amid high energy costs and stagnant incomes.
Greece and Bulgaria are followed by Lithuania (18%) and Spain (17.5%), confirming that energy poverty remains a significant challenge, particularly in Southern and Eastern Europe.
Sharp Contrast Across the EU
At the other end of the spectrum, northern and central European countries report far lower levels of heating insecurity. Finland records the lowest rate, with just 2.7% of residents struggling to heat their homes. Similarly low figures are observed in Poland and Slovenia (both 3.3%), as well as Estonia and Luxembourg (both 3.6%).
Across the European Union as a whole, 9.2% of the population faces difficulties in keeping their homes adequately warm. While still affecting millions, this figure represents an improvement of 1.4 percentage points compared to 2023, according to Eurostat.
Energy Poverty Remains a Major Social Issue
Despite the overall EU-wide improvement, the data underline the deep inequalities between member states. In Greece, high energy prices, relatively low household incomes and inefficient housing stock continue to exacerbate energy poverty, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Experts warn that prolonged exposure to cold indoor conditions has serious implications for public health, social cohesion and quality of life, making energy affordability a growing policy concern across Europe.
