High living costs are putting pressure on the rights of Europeans, according to the annual report of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), which also highlights rising online hate and challenges in integrating foreign workers.
“Across the EU, people are facing daily pressure due to the prolonged cost of living crisis,” said FRA Director Sirpa Rautio.
Property prices rose by 53.4% across the EU between 2015 and 2024, while rents increased by 16.8%, the Vienna-based agency noted.
According to estimates by FEANTSA, 1,287,000 people in the EU did not have permanent housing in 2025.
“The unpredictable international environment and ongoing wars also affect us here, particularly in people’s sense of security and well-being,” Rautio said.
At the same time, more than one in three EU citizens have encountered hate content online.
The EU has legislation to regulate the internet, but “its implementation faces challenges, particularly regarding the accountability of large tech platforms and some political resistance outside the Union,” she added.
A third key trend identified in the report concerns serious employment-related issues affecting workers from third countries.
While support measures for people fleeing the war in Ukraine have enabled faster integration into the labour market, citizens of other countries have needed at least five years to reach similar employment levels, the FRA noted.
Foreign workers are also more likely to be overqualified for their jobs, face discrimination and be exposed to exploitation.
At the same time, the EU is facing labour shortages, as it struggles to attract graduates and retain talent.
The report covers all 27 EU member states, as well as Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia.
Source: amna.gr
