Approximately 20% of individuals struggle to afford a week's time off for travel or leisure. - Approximately 20% of the population struggle with the cost of taking a week's break
In Baden-Württemberg, a popular tourist destination in Germany, over 20% of the population has been unable to afford a week's vacation since 2022. According to a report by the Statistical Office of Baden-Württemberg, this number decreased slightly in 2024, with approximately 2.3 million people unable to take a week's break.
The primary factors contributing to this situation are high living costs, particularly housing and utility expenses, which limit disposable income for leisure activities like vacations. Single parents are particularly affected, as they often face increased financial pressure due to the need to cover both childcare and household expenses on a single income.
Housing rent is a significant part of monthly expenses in Baden-Württemberg, and costs such as utilities (electricity, water, gas) are among the most expensive in Europe. Average monthly utility costs in the region are around €215, tightening household budgets further. Although food expenses tend to be relatively moderate, the combined financial strain leaves little room for non-essential spending like vacations.
For single parents, this situation is exacerbated. They have a singular source of income supporting both the parent and child(ren) and often face challenges such as paying for childcare, education, and necessary daily expenses without the financial support a dual-income household might have. As a result, they are more vulnerable to economic pressures that make even affordable holiday rentals, which may exist in regions like the Black Forest, financially out of reach.
In 2024, the report indicated that 189,000 single parents in Baden-Württemberg reported they could not afford a vacation, representing 37% of single parents in the region. This is a decrease from the previous year, where 40% of single parents could not afford a vacation.
It's important to note that the report does not specify the reasons for the inability to afford a week's vacation in Baden-Württemberg or provide information on the economic status of the people in question. Additionally, the report does not mention any plans or initiatives to address this issue.
Popular vacation destinations like Allgäu, the Baltic Sea, and Mallorca remain unattainable for one in five people in Baden-Württemberg due to these financial challenges. As the cost of living continues to rise, it's crucial to consider the impact on families and individuals who are struggling to make ends meet, particularly during leisure periods like vacations.
[1] Source: Statistisches Landesamt Baden-Württemberg, 2022. [2] Source: Bundesverband Kinderrechtsaktion e.V., 2021. [3] Source: Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk, 2020.
- To alleviate the financial strain on single parents in Baden-Württemberg, it might be beneficial to implement community policies that focus on affordable vocational training programs, thereby helping single parents gain skills for higher-paying jobs and improve their personal-finance situations.
- Given the high costs of living, particularly housing and utilities, in Baden-Württemberg, it would be advantageous for single parents to invest in personal-finance management and vocational training to increase their earning potential and afford vacations or other leisure activities.
