[kartan]

> could not afford a one-week annual holiday away from home

You get in Europe around one month of paid vacation time. What people can't afford is to travel. The title of the article misses that point, but, it's clear in the article itself.

I'm surprised that Italy, 44%, is in such a bad position. Worse than Poland (35%).

[anticristi]

I can't express how much the association between "not travelling" and poverty angers me. (Greta, help me here.)

Some people choose to live in a stressless small town, work less, commute by bike, pick up their kids from daycare earlier and have a great time gardening at home. If your surrounding already feels like holidays, why the heck would you get your ass stuck in traffic or a narrow cylinder?

Oh right, talking about the horror of being stuck in an airplane for 15 minutes makes a better story when returning to work.

[zokier]

But the study did not ask how many traveled for holiday. It studied how many could afford to do so, regardless if they actually traveled or wanted to travel.

[anticristi]

So 28% of Europeans either (a) have little disposable income although they work hard, or (b) do not buy into consumerism and minimize working time. (a) is a problem we should fix, (b) is a very healthy lifestyle, both for oneself and the planet.

We are giving no indication how large is (a) and (b), but the tone of the article wants us to believe there is problem.

Why not look at more important stuff like: do you have decent living conditions, enough space, fresh air to breathe, good teeth, respectful working condition? Oh right, fixing air quality in Paris is more challenging than sending people away for a week.

[luckylion]

Since it's "people", not "employees", it may well be about travel and time off for some. For self-employeed sub-contractors (i.e. the "gig economy"), time off means time not paid.

[dep_b]

Why? Poland is doing great!

[Tade0]

Yes and no. Much of the recent growth turned out to be already rich people getting richer.

That being said quality of life overall is steadily improving. But it comes at a cost - we're some of the most overworked countries in the EU.

[analog31]

This would be like being given a week of paid sick leave, but not being able to afford medical treatment.

Oh wait. We have that in the US.

[pitaj]

I doubt many people in the US have benefits including a month of paid sick leave but don't have health insurance through work.