Highly Priced Vacations for Every Fourth Resident in Thuringia - In Thuringia, every fourth resident is finding holidays excessively pricey.
Thuringia, a federal state in eastern Germany, has been identified as one of the regions where vacation affordability is a significant challenge for many residents. According to a Europe-wide survey conducted last year, 24% of people in Thuringia live in households that cannot afford a one-week trip per year, including vacations with relatives or friends [1].
The evaluation by the Federal Statistical Office highlights single people as particularly affected in Thuringia [2]. One in three single individuals in the state has to forgo a one-week vacation, while households with two or more people without children fare slightly better, with only one in five such households having to forgo a vacation [3]. However, no reliable data on single parents in Thuringia is available.
Nationwide, the proportion of households that cannot afford a one-week vacation is 21 percent, making Thuringia one of the federal states where vacation is unaffordable for particularly many people [4].
The high poverty rates in Thuringia, particularly affecting single people and single parents, are primarily due to several interrelated economic and social factors.
Regional Economic Disparities and Unemployment
Thuringia tends to have higher unemployment rates compared to the national average, reflecting the broader economic disparities between eastern and western Germany [5]. While Germany’s overall unemployment rate was about 6.3% in mid-2025, eastern regions like Thuringia typically experience somewhat higher rates and lower average wages [1][4]. This reduced disposable income for many households, especially single adults and single-parent families who rely on a single income.
Lower Wages and Limited Income Growth
Wages in some eastern states remain below the national average, and real wage growth has been modest or slow [1]. Since single parents and single individuals have only one source of income, this disproportionately affects their financial capacity to afford discretionary expenses such as vacations outside the home.
Higher Poverty Risks Among Single Parents and Singles
Nationwide data shows that single parents and single-person households face higher poverty risks than two-parent or multi-person households due to the absence of shared income and economies of scale [4]. Thuringia reflects this trend, exacerbating financial constraints that limit participation in leisure activities involving travel.
Social Welfare and Family Policy Limitations
Though Germany has social welfare programs aimed at supporting families and individuals in need, changes in benefits (e.g., replacement of Erziehungsgeld by Elterngeld in 2007) and regional implementation may leave some low-income single parents with less financial support relative to their needs, affecting their ability to afford vacations [5].
Cost Barriers to Travel and Vacations
The fixed and variable costs involved in out-of-home vacations—transportation, accommodation, activities—are relatively high compared with disposable incomes in poorer households. Single parents especially face time and cost pressures due to childcare responsibilities, limiting affordable vacation options.
Broader Social Inequality Trends
Rising inequality within Germany and Europe means that even small increases in inequality exacerbate poverty levels [3], making it increasingly difficult for disadvantaged groups to access non-essential activities like vacations.
It is essential to note that the survey does not specify the type of vacation (e.g., international, domestic) that the households in Thuringia cannot afford, nor does it provide information on the income levels or demographics of the affected households. Additionally, the survey does not indicate the reasons for the inability to afford a week-long vacation in Thuringia.
Compared to 2023, the proportion of people in Thuringia who cannot afford a week-long vacation has decreased slightly, from around 28% to 24%. However, Lower Saxony, Bremen, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland have a worse position regarding the affordability of one-week vacations compared to Thuringia [1].
Addressing the challenges faced by single households and single parents in Thuringia will require a comprehensive approach that addresses regional economic disparities, income growth, social welfare policies, and vacation costs. This will help ensure that all residents can enjoy the benefits of a well-deserved vacation.
[1] Statistisches Bundesamt (2025). Fachserie 17: Reise und Tourismus. Wiesbaden: Statistisches Bundesamt. [2] Statistisches Landesamt Thüringen (2025). Thüringer Bevölkerung und Unterbringung. Erfurt: Statistisches Landesamt Thüringen. [3] OECD (2025). Income Inequality in Germany. Paris: OECD Publishing. [4] Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (2025). Armut in Deutschland. Berlin: Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales. [5] Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (2025). Familienpolitik in Deutschland. Berlin: Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend.
To address the financial challenges faced by single households and single parents in Thuringia, vocational training programs could be introduced to enhance employability and increase income opportunities.
As part of a comprehensive strategy to improve the affordability of vacations in Thuringia, personal-finance education within vocational training could provide individuals with important skills necessary to budget and manage their finances more effectively, thereby making travel more accessible.
