Yoana Asultanicei (29 years old) divorced last year, and now she regrets it. She lived with her husband in a small apartment in Berchen, for which they paid 250 euros every month. Now she is forced to pay the rent herself, and the same 250 euros suddenly seems too much to her. What Joana didn’t know was the statistical truth: single people suffer more from inflation than couples who pool their money.

According to the data of the National Institute of Statistics, families with more than 5 children and single citizens suffer the most from inflation (click on the image to enlarge it):

Joana considered several options: either find a roommate to share the rent with, or move back in with her parents, both situations have their drawbacks.

While we were a family, my husband fixed small things that broke in the apartment. Now, if the pipe bursts, I have to take care of it myself, because until I tell the owner who lives in Vranca to send me someone, all my neighbors will be flooded, says Joana.

And there is no question of buying her house. With the salary of a saleswoman, Yoana cannot afford an apartment in the capital – no bank will finance it.

This is because banks look at your income and give you a loan so that your rate does not exceed 40% of your income. Or, if you have a net income of 2,500 lei, it is difficult to dream of a 2-room apartment, as she would like.

True, young people of Yoana’s age have a harder time in life. Statistics show that you earn better only at the age of 35-39. Earnings then decline, except in the over-55 area, when they rise slightly again (click on the image to enlarge it):

It’s true, inflation hits everyone, but it’s something else when the money is collected and you can more easily get a loan or invest it.

Unfortunately, the number of single-parent families is increasing because fewer and fewer Romanians are getting married and marrying later. This means that more single people are struggling financially.

With the increase in the price of basic products: bread, oil, food in general, as well as utility bills, even a 5% salary increase does little for Yoana. Inflation quickly eats up that premium on the first trip to market. “I was at the market last week. I left 200 lei for vegetables and some chicken, I couldn’t believe it! Last year, I provided food for a week with 200 lei. Now I barely have enough for a few days,” says Yoana.

“I thought about getting another part-time job, but no one wants to hire me part-time because of the politicians’ mini-fiscal revolution. Maybe I will become a blood donor. I still make ends meet with the food vouchers and other things I get from there,” she says.

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