Majority of low-income EU households struggle to make ends meet

Over 60% of low-income households across the European Union report difficulties making ends meet, according to a new survey released by Eurofound. The 2025 edition of the Living and Working in the EU e-survey paints a picture of widespread economic pressure and waning institutional trust, five years after the first major COVID-19 lockdowns.

Inflation in the eurozone fell to 2.1% in October 2025, and unemployment figures have remained broadly stable. Despite these macroeconomic indicators, the survey indicates that many EU citizens continue to struggle financially, with effects extending into housing security, mental well-being, and civic trust.