More than one in five Germans, or 21.9% of the population, cannot afford to go on a one-week vacation per year, according to Eurostat data cited by the dpa agency.

The far-left party Die Linke requested this information from the statistical office of the European Union, and it was first published by the German media Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND).

According to the quoted source, it is especially difficult for single parents with children, 42% of whom do not have enough income to afford a week’s vacation.

Households with two adults without dependent children are the most likely to afford annual leave.

Dietmar Barch, leader of the Die Linke parliamentary group, called the figures a “sad conclusion”.

“These figures show how deeply socially divided Germany is,” Barch told RND.

A growing number

“Everyone should be able to go on vacation for at least one week a year,” he added. This, the Die Linke politician believes, requires higher wages, adequate pensions, a firm anti-inflation policy and a stable basic child benefit.

In recent years, these indicators have fluctuated quite strongly.

Compared to 2021, the percentage of those who cannot afford a vacation has slightly increased. At that time, this share was 19.9%, that is, less than every fifth German.

This share was much smaller in 2017 – 15.3%, respectively in 2019 – 12.8%. In 2011, almost every fourth German – 22.8% – could not afford a one-week vacation per year. (Agerpress)