Greece, Italy only EU countries seeing decline in real household income over 20 years

Overview

Eurostat’s report highlights that over the last two decades Greece and Italy stand out as the only EU members where real household income per capita has fallen.

Eurostat report says Romania sees strongest growth in real household income per capita.

Key figures for Greece and Italy

Greece recorded a 5% decrease in real household income per capita between 2004 and 2024, marking the sharpest decline among EU countries. Italy experienced a 4% drop in the same indicator over the same period, making it the only other EU country with a long‑term fall in real household income per person.

Countries with strongest income growth

Romania showed the most dynamic improvement, with real household income per capita increasing by 134% over the 20‑year period. Lithuania, Poland and Malta also posted strong gains, with respective rises of 95%, 91% and 90% in real household income per capita.

States with modest increases

Spain was among the weakest performers in terms of growth, with real household income per capita up by only 11% over the two decades. Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg also saw relatively small gains of 14%, 15% and 17% respectively, remaining well below the best‑performing member states.

EU-wide trend and crises impact

Across the European Union as a whole, real household income per capita expanded by 22% from 2004 to 2024. This upward trajectory stalled between 2008 and 2011 during the global financial crisis and turned slightly negative in 2012, 2013 and again in 2020.

Source note

The Anadolu Agency website provides only an abridged public version of this news item, with full coverage available to subscribers of its broadcasting system.

Author’s summary: Over 20 years, real household income rose across the EU but fell in Greece and Italy, while Romania and several Eastern members led growth, widening internal economic contrasts.

Anadolu Ajansı — 2025-11-26