Four out of 10 Greeks spend 40% of income on housing

In particular, in Greece, the proportion of households that spend more than 40% of their disposable income to meet housing needs has risen to almost 41%, while the European average does not exceed 11.3%. Indeed, the trend is steadily worsening, as two years ago the figure in Greece stood at 33%, according to the survey the data of which was published by Kathimerini.

Housing costs include rent for tenants or the housing loan instalment for owners, as well as heating, water, electricity, telephony and utilities. However, if one takes into account the tax burden, the burden Greeks shoulder becomes unbearable. From 2010 to 2015 real estate taxes have increased sixfold, from € 500 million to € 3 billion, while in 2016 they rose again to 3.5 billion euros.

At the same time, household revenue declined significantly (eg wage and pension cuts), while other property-related costs such as electricity and heating oil are also rising.

The result is that the gap has widened more compared with other European countries, where the financial burden of housing costs has not changed significantly during this period.

Even more worrying in terms of the social fabric, is that the rate surpasses the 90% mark in households whose income is among the lowest ie less than 60% of the average income .