Brussels – Housing, utility bills, food, and transport comprise almost half of European households’ expenditure. In 2025, these items together accounted for 49.5 per cent of consumer spending in the European Union, according to data published by Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office. In particular, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels remain the largest expenditure category, accounting for 23.8 per cent of the total, followed by food and non-alcoholic drinks (13.2 per cent) and transport (12.5 per cent).
Overall, household consumption expenditure in Europe rose by 1.6 per cent in 2025 from the previous year, after adjusting for inflation. This increase was slightly lower than the one recorded in 2024, when growth stood at 1.8 per cent. The latest Eurostat data for 2026 indicate a similar trend for the current year as well.
The increase was not uniform across the various sectors. The strongest growth was seen in information and communication (+3.3 per cent), followed by leisure, sport and culture (+3.1 per cent). Clothing and footwear, together with furniture and household equipment, both recorded an increase of 2.7 per cent. Bucking the trend, the only category to record a decline was that of alcoholic drinks, tobacco and narcotics, with a fall of 1.9 per cent.
After the three main categories of expenditure come restaurants and accommodation services, which account for 9.5 per cent of the total, followed by leisure, sport and culture (7.7 per cent). Health expenditure, on the other hand, accounts for 4.5 per cent, while education expenditure remains marginal at just 0.9 per cent.
Differences between Member States are also evident in consumption trends. In 2025, household expenditure, adjusted for inflation, increased in most Member States (25 out of 27). The strongest growth was recorded in Bulgaria (+7 per cent), followed by Malta (+6.8 per cent) and Cyprus (+5.1 per cent). Estonia and Finland, on the other hand, were the only economies to record a decline, of 0.3 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively.
In terms of consumption as a ratio of GDP, the highest proportion was recorded in Greece (75.6 per cent), followed by Croatia (68 per cent) and Portugal (66.5 per cent). At the other end of the scale are Ireland (24.6 per cent), Luxembourg (32.8 per cent) and the Netherlands (42.3 per cent).
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
