The heat wave in Europe disproportionately affects poor households. The burden falls on the most vulnerable.

The extreme heat wave in Europe is profoundly affecting households, especially those with low incomes, which bear costs four times higher.

A recent study by Climate Analytics shows that the average income of European households decreases by nearly 3% due to extreme heat and drought, and in the case of a global warming of 2.7°C, losses could reach 27%. Record energy prices, such as those in Belgium (1,038.25 euros/MWh), contribute to rising living costs. Workers who work outdoors lose hours of work, and parents face difficulties in childcare due to school closures. Poor households are the most affected, losing 4% of their income, compared to 1.1-1.8% for the rest of the population. European governments are criticized for their lack of preparedness in the face of these climate challenges. The consequences of inaction are accumulating, and the number of people at risk of poverty could increase significantly. The heat wave is expected to continue in Central and Western Europe until the beginning of July.