Business · Economy · 19 hrs ago
Italian households spend more on food but less on culture and clothing
Italian household spending changed between 2015 and 2025, according to an analysis of recent national statistics.
Spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks rose from €441 to €552 a month on average.
Ready meals and prepared foods saw the biggest increase, with annual household spending up 254%.
That does not mean families bought more food, because prices also rose.
The analysis points to higher costs linked to climate impacts on ingredients, the war in Ukraine and energy prices.
Outside food, spending on recreation, shows and culture fell 16.7%, while clothing and footwear spending fell 9%.
Meanwhile, household spending on housing and utilities rose about 11%, and spending on accommodation and restaurants rose 33.7%.
Italian household spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks rose 25% between 2015 and 2025, according to an analysis by consumer group Codacons using recent Istat data.
Monthly spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks increased from €441 in 2015 to €552 in 2025.
Spending on ready meals and food preparations rose 254% over the decade.
Over the same period, spending on recreation, entertainment and culture fell 16.7%, while spending on clothing and footwear fell 9%.
Codacons said higher food spending reflects steep price rises and does not necessarily mean households are buying more.
- Who
- Italian households.
- What
- Their food spending rose, while spending on culture and clothing fell, between 2015 and 2025.
- When
- 2015 to 2025; the analysis was published on 11 October 2026.
- Where
- Italy.
- Why
- Codacons cited steep food-price increases linked to climate change, the war in Ukraine and higher energy costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
the heavy price increases that have affected the food sector in recent years, amid climate change that sent raw-material prices soaring, the war in Ukraine that raised prices for cereals, dairy products and oils, and high energy costs passed on to retail prices
And certainly not because Italians are travelling more: the tourism sector, affected by the Covid pandemic and high energy bills, is among those that have seen the biggest price increases in recent years
Monthly household spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks was €441.
Monthly household spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks was €552.
ANSA published Codacons’ analysis of changes in Italian household spending from 2015 to 2025.
- Food and non-alcoholic drinks
- Monthly household spending rose from €441 in 2015 to €552 in 2025.
- Ready meals and food preparations
- Spending increased 254% over the decade.
- Recreation, entertainment and culture
- Spending fell 16.7%, or €253 per household annually.
- Clothing and footwear
- Spending fell 9%, or €125 per household annually.
- Non-food spending overall
- Increased 8.4% over the decade.
Sources
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