Housing crisis strikes further blow to Europe's deepening wealth inequality

Throughout Europe, a wealthy minority controls a disproportionately large share of total wealth. On average, across EU countries for which there are available data, the richest 5% of the population hold around 35% of total wealth, while the poorest 50% of the population hold just 9% of total wealth. This deep inequality has been persistent throughout the last decade.

New research now reveals that Europe’s widespread housing crisis risks further entrenching these inequalities, reducing social mobility and increasing inter-generational divides.

The new episode of Eurofound Talks, published today, 17 October, on International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, looks in-depth at Europe’s wealth divide. Mary McCaughey speaks with Eurofound researchers Carlos Vacas and Eszter Sandor about how wealth inequality remains as intractable as ever – despite positive developments in recent years on wages and improvements in general working conditions.

As well as analysing the roots of wealth inequality, they pay particular attention to what the long-term implications of wealth inequality could be, and how the current struggles of young people to attain home ownership is impacting the situation.

They also look at policy measures that could be taken, both short-term and long-term, to turn the tide and create a fairer and more equitable society in Europe.

Listen to the episode for free on our dedicated page, or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Further information:

• Eurofound report: Unequal wealth: Exploring socioeconomic disparities across the EU
• United Nations: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty