Across Europe, the cost of energy and fuel is reshaping daily life, forcing many households to make painful trade-offs. A new annual survey by Ipsos and Secours populaire français, based on interviews with 10,000 people in ten countries, paints a stark picture of financial insecurity that is becoming a long-term feature for millions.
Overall, 29% of respondents say they are living in precarious circumstances, and 73% fear they will not be able to cover their fuel costs. The study covered France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the United Kingdom, and Serbia—a mix that highlights both the wealthier western states and the more vulnerable eastern and southern economies.
Southern Europe feels the squeeze
The anxiety is most acute in Greece, Italy, and Portugal, where respondents express the highest levels of worry about fuel expenses. In Portugal, fuel and diesel prices hit a record high on 7 September, marking the largest jump in four years and the highest diesel price ever recorded. This comes as Brent crude briefly topped $100 a barrel following renewed attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a reminder of how global conflicts—from Russia's war in Ukraine to the Middle East—ripple into European households.
The survey reveals that more than one in three Europeans has sacrificed significant expenses, such as food or healthcare, to cope with energy or fuel bills. People in Moldova and Greece are sacrificing up to three times more than those in Germany and the UK, underscoring the uneven impact across the continent.
Trade-offs and coping strategies
When fuel costs rise, the first things to go are holidays, followed by visits to relatives living far away. Three-tenths of respondents have given up driving to work, even if it means much longer commutes. More alarmingly, 23% say they have skipped medical appointments due to rising costs—a decision that carries serious long-term health implications.
Beyond these drastic measures, Europeans are adopting a range of strategies to trim energy bills. Almost seven in ten have implemented at least one measure, such as lowering or turning off the heating, or taking cold showers. Slightly more than five in ten say they use several of these tactics simultaneously.
The findings echo broader concerns about energy poverty and its social consequences. As the European Central Bank raises rates to curb energy-driven inflation, the pressure on households shows no sign of easing. Meanwhile, the EU's energy independence plan faces hurdles, and experts warn that without targeted support, the most vulnerable will continue to bear the brunt.
The survey's authors stress that this is not a temporary blip but a structural shift in living standards. For many, the choice between heating and eating, or between a doctor's visit and a full tank, is becoming a regular reality. As one respondent from Greece put it, "We are not living; we are surviving."
Policymakers across Europe are being urged to respond with measures that go beyond short-term relief. The UN climate chief has called on Europe to lead the clean energy transition, which could reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuels. But for now, millions are simply trying to make ends meet.
