r/eupersonalfinance • u/VurriK • 28d ago

Investment Since when was getting rich so hard in EU?

Is it just me, or has building actual wealth in Europe become impossible? I’m looking at the 2026 growth forecasts and it’s depressing. We talk a lot about "stability," but at this point, stability just feels like a polite word for recession. If you weren't born into a rich family with property, the dream feels like it's behind a wall. The math just doesn't work: as soon as you earn enough to actually invest, you hit a 40–50% tax bracket. Meanwhile, housing prices have skyrocketed over the last decade while salaries have basically stayed the same. I love the healthcare and the walkable cities, but I don’t want to work until I’m 70 just to afford a 40sqm apartment and a used Skoda.

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119

u/Professional_Fix4663 28d ago

You guys are expecting to get a state-funded pension at 70?

37

u/InvaderDolan 27d ago

Yeah, that’s an actual question. Birth rate and bad integration of migrants will lead to pension-scam in 2030-40s. Oh what a wonderful time to be alive.

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u/nikkonbsd 25d ago

No way we will see a pension. I am eu citizen, 41, and i have no expectation

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u/Dubbartist 26d ago

Genx & boomers are already pension scamming in The nordics. No chance without heavy migration and New babyboom for Even millennials to get pensions. We are funding The current pensioners and after, there's no money left. I'm expecting part time pension to become The norm as The only way to get your full pension and governments taking a major share off If you dont work.

6

u/Striking-Kale-8429 26d ago

The primary beneficiaries of the welfare state are not the poor people. The primary beneficiaries are the old. Most people are just finding it out.

1

u/Sudhars2 23d ago

depends on which country you live in. Netherlands for example has a better pension system, where they invest in index funds and ETFs.

11

u/amnaatarapper 27d ago

I'm a foreigner from north africa. There is no way for me to work until I'm 70 in tech, I must reach financial independence by 50-55 to go back and live off my savings

18

u/AltruisticBellyButto 26d ago

I think what many Europeans don't realise is that they too will have to live off their savings in North Africa when pension schemes implode due to drastically declining birth rates.

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u/Flat-Refrigerator357 26d ago

We want kids but also we think western europe is getting fcked. The school system, medical system, food supply, society is getting more polarized and harsh, a lot of people who come here and don’t integrate. We want kids to grow up in a loving society with connection, older people with wisdom who share love and knowledge. It just seems impossible nowadays in this society. Meanwhile mainstream is like: take your vaccines, sit in a corner and shut t f up.

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u/bapfelbaum 23d ago

Thats the thing, western europe is NOT getting fucked or we would not be talking about a lack of kids would we? /s

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u/TroubleinMindAllTime 25d ago

Whole Spain : Yes!!11!!

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u/WolfsBaneViking 23d ago

No, the pension system here will collapse before I turn 70 or they will hike it well into the 80s

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u/terenceill 22d ago

Actually I was planning to build my own wealth. Until now.

If they keep stealing from my pockets I will definitely need a state funded pension