Europe's housing crisis deepens, squeezing the middle class and young people
Protests over the cost of living, including housing and rent prices, are taking place in several European countries. Housing affordability increasingly affects the middle class, while young people feel the heaviest burden.
Protests over the high cost of living are under way in several European countries: Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. Housing prices have risen across the continent, and affordability is increasingly affecting not only low earners but also the middle class. Young people bear the heaviest burden.
Protests in different countries
In the centre of Lisbon, Portugal's capital, demonstrators pitched tents. In Spain, thousands of people took to the streets. In Portugal and Spain, people are protesting against high housing and rental prices.
In France and Italy, discontent is driven by the high cost of living in general. In these countries, demonstrations in places turned into clashes with police.
Why it matters
Rising housing prices across Europe are making affordability an increasingly pressing issue for the middle class. For young people, who feel the burden most, it creates particular difficulties.
