Protests against soaring rent and housing prices rock Portugal

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Protests have erupted across many parts of Portugal, including on the streets of Lisbon, against soaring rent and housing prices as high inflation has gripped the nation.

Many people are struggling to make ends meet with one protester in Lisbon lamenting, “There is a huge housing crisis today. This is a social emergency”, according to foreign media.

Low wages and high rents make Lisbon the world’s third-least viable .city to live in, according to a study by insurance brokers CIA Landlords. Portugal’s current 8.2% inflation rate has exacerbated the problem.

Portugal is also one of Western Europe’s poorest countries, with government data showing more than 50% of workers earned less than $1,084 per month last year. The monthly minimum wage is $826.