The share of people in the European Union unable to cover an unexpected financial expense fell to 29.2% in 2025, according to Eurostat’s November 11 release. The comparable figure was 30.0% in 2024, a decline of 0.8 percentage points. The figures concern the previous year, rather than household finances measured this November.

National results differed considerably. Greece reported 50.5%, followed by Latvia at 43.7% and Bulgaria at 42.4%. The Netherlands had the lowest share, 15.3%, while Malta and Czechia each reported 18.7%. The spread shows how a modest EU-wide change can coexist with much higher exposure in individual countries.

The indicator measures whether people can cope with an unforeseen expense. It should not be read as a count of missed payments or as the unemployment rate. Eurostat presents it as one aspect of economic security within its broader quality-of-life statistics.