Catalan households spend nearly half of their budget on housing and food

Catalan households allocate nearly 50% of their total spending to housing and food, according to 2024 data published on Thursday by Spain's National Statistics Institute.

Housing accounts for 34% of household spending, the lowest figure in recent years. During the pandemic in 2019, this share rose from 33% to 38%, but it has been gradually declining each year since.

Food represents 15% of total spending, also the lowest figure in the past five years.

Together, housing and food account for 49% of household expenditure, marking the first time since 2019 that this combined figure has fallen below 50%.

Meanwhile, spending on leisure and restaurants has risen to 14%, a level not seen since 2018.

Transport accounts for 10% of spending, while clothing represents 4%. Health, insurance, and financial services also account for 4%.

The average annual household expenditure in Catalonia stood at €37,409, an increase of 9% compared to 2023. Average individual spending was €14,746, up 8.5%.

Catalonia ranks as the third autonomous community with the highest spending, behind Madrid (€15,108 per person) and the Basque Country (€15,504).