In Bremen, approximately a third of residents struggle to save for a week's worth of holidays - Three out of ten residents in Bremen struggle to save up for a week's worth of holiday expenses.
Affordability of Holidays in Germany: Regional Differences and Challenges
A new survey by the German Statistical Office has revealed that the affordability of holidays in Germany varies significantly across the country, with some regions facing more challenges than others.
According to the survey, over 34% of people in the city of Bremen lived in households that couldn't afford a week's holiday last year. This figure is particularly high for single-parent households, with 30% of such families in the neighbouring state of Bayern also struggling to afford a holiday. The national average for people living in households that can't afford a week's holiday is 21%.
However, compared to other European countries, Germany fares relatively well. For instance, in Bulgaria, 41% of people say they can't afford a holiday, while in Romania, the figure is 59%. Greece stands out with an alarming 46% of people unable to afford a holiday.
The affordability issue is not limited to certain regions. Nationally, over one in three German workers cannot afford a holiday, with nearly half reducing their holiday plans due to financial pressure. This highlights a significant affordability issue overall.
More expensive regions such as Munich (Bavaria), Frankfurt (Hessen), and Hamburg have higher costs of living driven by housing demand, which likely translates to higher holiday costs or less disposable income for vacations. On the other hand, more affordable regions exist in Eastern Germany (Saxony, Thuringia, Brandenburg) and some northern and western states (Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein), where costs including rent are lower and thus holiday affordability might be higher compared to national averages.
For example, Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, has an average salary around €3,350/month and rent €800–1,000/month, indicating a relatively stronger earning capacity which may influence holiday affordability.
In summary, holiday affordability is generally lower than the national average in expensive urban states like Bavaria, Hessen, and Hamburg due to high living and housing costs, while states in Eastern Germany and some northern/western areas tend to have better affordability relative to the national average.
It's important to note that single parents in Wiesbaden are not included in the state-specific figures due to small sample sizes. The Saarland has a significantly higher rate, with 28.8% of people affected. In Rheinland-Pfalz, 55.7% of single-parent households can't afford a week's holiday.
Exact affordability rates per state require more granular data than currently available. However, the survey underscores the need for policies and initiatives that address the affordability issue and support families and individuals in need.
- The steel industry, a crucial sector in Germany's manufacturing, may face challenges in certain regions due to the high cost of living, as seen in cities like Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg, where the affordability issue could affect their ability to take holidays.
- To address the personal-finance challenges faced by many Germans, general-news outlets might consider exploring community aid initiatives to help the steel industry workers and other families struggling to afford a week's holiday, particularly in regions with higher costs of living.
