More than 1 in 10 Luxembourgers live in relative poverty

A total of 11.9% of people in Luxembourg live below the so-called low standard of living rate, which is defined as earning under 60% of the national median salary.

By that definition, a comfortable living wage is defined as €28,121 per year for a single person, €42,182 for two people (both over 14) living together, €50,618 for three people living together (one of whom is under 14) and €59,054 for a household of four (with two under-14s). The definitions are set out jointly by Health Minister Martine Deprez and Finance Minister Gilles Roth in response to a parliamentary question about the national minimum wage for unskilled workers.

Asked for a breakdown on recent data on low-income households, the ministers note that 11.9% of the nation is under the comfortable living threshold, but that the proportion rises 16.2% of children up to 15 years old, and 20.7% of 16- to 24-year-olds. The oldest two age brackets (65-74 and 75+) are the least likely to be struggling financially.

In keeping with the above numbers on childhood poverty, 64.5% of single-parent households with three or more children are below the threshold, as well as 50.8% of large families that include two adults.

At the other extreme, 3.7% of households of three adults and no children fall below the line. Some 14.7% of single adults struggle financially.

Men are slightly more likely to live comfortably than women, but the difference is relatively small: 12.5% of women fall below the line and 11.2% of men.

From an employment perspective, the data suggests the most precarious prospects are for people in the private sector who earn an hourly wage at or close to the national unqualified minimum wage (25.6%). Some 17.5% of independents and freelancers, meanwhile, struggle to make ends meet.