Four in 10 Greeks struggling to pay rent and bills

Four in 10 Greeks struggle to pay their mortgage or rent and their bills, while more than half of households lack the funds to ensure that they can eat a nutritious meal every other day, according to a new survey by the National Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).

According to experts, a household can be categorized as materially deprive if at least four of the following apply: difficulty in meeting emergency financial demands; inability to afford a vacation of at least a week every year; inability to ensure that their diet includes fish or meat at least every other day; inability to pay for heating when necessary; lack of basic appliances such a washing machine, telephone or color television; inability to repay loans and pay basic bills.

In 2015, 22.2 percent of the Greek population fulfilled at least four of these categories, compared to 21.5 percent in 2014 and 12.8 percent in 2005, according to the ELSTAT survey.

In the poorest households, 87.1 percent said they were unable to take a holiday of at least a week every year, while in households of medium income the proportion was 44.8 percent.

In poor households, 52.5 percent were unable to pay for meat or fish every other day, while the proportion was significantly lower, 1.8 percent, in medium income households.

A total of 41 percent of households said they struggled to pay the mortgage or rent, while the proportion was 64.7 percent for poor households.