Western Greece elderly face complex poverty challenges

A study conducted by Co2gether through the ‘Life Visits’ initiative has revealed the living conditions of 448 elderly individuals living below the poverty line in rural areas of Western Greece. The multidisciplinary research team performed direct home visits to document how economic hardship, housing conditions, health issues, and stress interact to impact quality of life.

The findings indicate that poverty among the elderly extends beyond mere financial metrics. In Greece, 28.9% of the population faces housing costs exceeding 40% of their disposable income—the highest rate in the EU—while 19% are unable to keep their homes sufficiently warm. The study highlights that income deprivation, inadequate housing, poor health, isolation, and lack of accessibility create a complex web of vulnerability for this demographic.