5 Countries with the Largest Slum Population in Europe

In this article, we take a look at 5 countries with the largest slum population in Europe. If you would like to take a look at our detailed analysis of European slums, you can go to 12 Countries with the Largest Slum Population in Europe.

5. Romania

Total Urban Population (2018): 10,515,554

Urban Population Living in Slums (2018): 1,523,000

Proportion of Urban Population Living in Slums (2018): 14.4%

Most of the slum dwellers in Romania belong to the Roma population, with many of them burning trash for a living. 14.4% of the country’s urban population lives in slums, making it one of the countries with the largest slum populations in the world.

4. Spain

Total Urban Population (2018): 37,588,424

Urban Population Living in Slums (2018): 2,907,000

Proportion of Urban Population Living in Slums (2018): 7.8%

Spain houses one of the largest slums in Europe, in the form of Cañada Real in Madrid. With over 2.9 million people living in urban slums, Spain is one of the countries that house the most slum settlements in Europe.

3. Italy

Total Urban Population (2018): 42,559,879

Urban Population Living in Slums (2018): 3,007,000

Proportion of Urban Population Living in Slums (2018): 7.2%

In 2021, the New York Times reported that the Italian government had decided to reform the slums in Sicily due to the pandemic. The goal is to replace the shacks with energy-saving compartments that prove to be better homes for slum dwellers. 

2. Belarus 

Total Urban Population (2018): 7,418,413

Urban Population Living in Slums (2018): 3,358,000

Proportion of Urban Population Living in Slums (2018): 45.2%

In Belarus, 45.2% of the urban population lives in slums, which is the second-highest value on this list after Moldova. This is why Belarus is one of the countries with the largest slum populations in Europe, ranking second on our list.

1. Ukraine

Total Urban Population (2018): 30,946,609

Urban Population Living in Slums (2018): 5,497,000

Proportion of Urban Population Living in Slums (2018): 18%

Ukraine was already one of the European countries with the largest slum populations before the Russian invasion of the country in 2022. Since then, the housing situation has only worsened for residents of the country. This is why Ukraine ranks first on our list, with 18% of its urban population living in slums.

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