For many in the European Union, summer means rest and travel. But 28.3% of the EU population over the age of 16 could not afford a one-week vacation away from home in 2018, according to Eurostat data released today.

In 2013, this share was 39.5%.

Among the 28 Member States, the largest number of residents in such a situation last year were in Romania (58.9%), Croatia (51.3%), Greece (51%) and Cyprus (51%).

On the back of the scale are Luxembourg (10.9%) and Sweden (9.7%).

For Bulgaria, the percentage of people who have not been able to afford a holiday is 30.5 percent. It is also noted in our country that it registered the largest decline in those unable to secure a one-week vacation - in 2013 they were 66.3%, and the previous year - 74%.

Of the whole EU alone in Greece, this share has increased by 2 per cent over the same 5-year period.