From supermarket shelves and energy bills to housing and education, rising prices are putting pressure on households across Europe. But which sectors are being hit hardest by inflation? What is the EU doing to ease the burden on consumers?
According to Eurostat, inflation in the eurozone reached 3.8% in September, nearly double the European Central Bank’s target. Energy prices surged 18.8% in a year.
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The squeeze reaches every key sector in the bloc. A European Central Bank analysis showed that, at supermarket checkouts, 35% of EU consumers worry about affording food. 74% have noticed everyday products shrinking in size without getting cheaper.
Soaring energy bills are leaving millions struggling to keep their homes warm, while rising construction costs and housing shortages keep pushing rents and property prices higher. In Portugal alone, house prices jumped 16.5% in a year.
Education is also under pressure, as schools face operating costs and families must cover books, transport and supplies. Meanwhile, education's share of EU public spending stood at 9.7% in 2024, down from 10% in 2019.
Can the EU protect consumers from these rising costs? Brussels has proposed an expanding list of measures, from the Affordable Energy Action Plan and the Citizens’ Energy Package to the €86.7 billion Social Climate Fund, aimed at reducing energy costs and supporting vulnerable households. But much of this response focuses on long-term reforms, while the latest price shocks are already hitting consumers.
The Commission has also presented its European Affordable Housing Plan, proposed an Affordable Housing Act in September and introduced its first Anti-Poverty Strategy.
Are these measures enough to tackle soaring global inflation? Should it be the EU’s task? Or are national governments not doing enough? Our poll is anonymous and takes only a few seconds to complete. The results will be featured across XL's EU-wide coverage, including videos, articles and newsletters, and will help shape our reporting as we examine how Europe can secure its position in the age of artificial intelligence.