Low-income households in Cyprus face significantly higher housing costs compared to the general population, according to new Eurostat data.
The data reveals that in 2023, housing expenses consumed 19.2% of available income for populations at risk of poverty, compared to just 11.6% for those with income above 60% of the median.
Across the European Union, households on average spent 19.7% of their disposable income on housing, with substantial variations between member states.
Greece topped the list with 35.2%, followed by Luxembourg at 27.6% and Denmark at 25.9%.For individuals with incomes below 60% of the national median – considered at risk of poverty – housing costs absorbed an average of 38.2% of available income in the EU.Cyprus also featured in a concerning statistic regarding payment delays, with 14.3% of households experiencing arrears in housing loans, rent, or utility bills.
This places Cyprus among the higher-ranking countries, though still behind Greece’s 47.3%. Notably, Cyprus demonstrated the lowest housing cost overburden in rural areas at just 0.7%, significantly below the EU’s 7% average. Urban areas in Cyprus showed a 3.4% overburden rate, compared to the EU’s 10.6%.
