As Cyprus enters the peak summer tourism season, new Eurostat data show that a holiday remains out of reach for a significant share of the population. According to the latest figures for 2025, 27.5% of people aged 16 and over in both Cyprus and the European Union said they could not afford to spend one week away from home on an annual holiday, placing the island exactly at the EU average.
Long-Term Improvement, But Financial Pressure Persists
Although the figure has improved significantly over the past decade, financial constraints remain a reality for many households. In Cyprus, the share of people unable to afford a one-week holiday has fallen from 58.9% in 2014 and 45% in 2019 to 27.5% in 2025.
Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram
Across the EU, the rate stood at 27.5%, up slightly from 27% in 2024 but well below the 35.2% recorded in 2015.
Wide Differences Across Europe
Eurostat’s data highlight substantial differences between member states. Romania recorded the highest share of people unable to afford a one-week holiday at 61.4%, followed by Greece at 46.6%, while Bulgaria and Hungary both stood at 39.1%.
At the other end of the ranking, Luxembourg reported the lowest share at 10.6%, followed by Sweden at 12.4% and both the Netherlands and Austria at 12.8%.
Cost Of Living Continues To Weigh On Households
The figures suggest that rising living costs continue to limit household budgets, despite an overall improvement in material conditions over the past decade. Inflation has eased from previous peaks, but accommodation, air travel and dining costs remain elevated across much of Europe.
According to the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), around 42 million workers across the EU cannot afford even one week away from home, highlighting the pressure that housing costs, transport expenses and food prices continue to place on household finances.
A Measure Of Financial Well-Being
Eurostat’s figures are based on the EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey and count only people who are unable to take a holiday because of financial constraints rather than personal choice.
For many households across Cyprus and the wider European Union, the data underline that a one-week annual holiday remains beyond reach despite broader improvements in living standards.
