One in Four Working Cypriots Cannot Afford a Vacation

Cyprus ranks as an EU member state with the second-highest percentage of workers unable to afford a vacation in 2022, according to a study conducted by Eurostat for the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

The research indicates that in 2022, 39.7 million workers (15%) were unable to afford a week-long vacation away from home, whether domestically or abroad. This is a rise from 37.6 million workers (14%) in 2021.

Overall, the number of workers unable to afford a week-long vacation has increased by over two million across the EU.

According to the ETUC, in 2022, the countries with the highest percentages of workers who could not afford a vacation were Romania (35.8%), Cyprus (24.9%), and Greece (24.8%).

The situation in Romania may have improved since then, as the government subsequently raised the minimum wage by 23% and enhanced workers' rights to negotiate for higher wages.

The study's authors warn that 2023 could be even worse due to record-high vacation costs last summer combined with a decline in real wages across the EU due to inflation.

• "Vacation is not a luxury; time away from the usual environment is essential for maintaining both physical and mental health, as well as providing valuable experiences for children," said ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch.