Rome, 7 October (LaPresse) – Average monthly spending increases as the size of the household increases, although, due to economies of scale, the increase is less than proportional to the increase in the number of members. This is highlighted by Istat in its report on household consumption in 2024, which shows that the average monthly expenditure for a single-person household is €1,932, or about 68% of that of two-person households and about 58% of that of three-person households. As the size of the household increases, the weight of items less susceptible to economies of scale (such as food and non-alcoholic beverages) increases, while the weight of items where economies of scale are easier to achieve decreases. For example, the share of expenditure allocated to housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels goes from 43.9% for single-member households to 28.6% for those with five or more members. In 2024, expenditure levels will remain essentially stable compared to the previous year for all household types. In terms of composition, expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages weighs most heavily on households consisting of a couple with three or more children (22.2% of total expenditure, equal to €819 per month), while it accounts for only 13.8% among couples without children with a reference person (RP) aged between 18 and 34 (€448 per month). Expenditure on housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, on the other hand, weighs more heavily on single persons aged 65 and over (48.2% of monthly expenditure, equal to €864) and less on couples with three or more children (28.5%, €1,050). The highest share of expenditure on transport is found among couples without children aged 18-34 (13.8%, €448 per month) and among couples with one child (13.2%, €453 per month), while people over 64 living alone spend only 5.0% of their expenditure (€90 per month). The family type that allocates the most resources to expenditure on food and accommodation services is that consisting of single people aged between 18 and 34 (9.4%, equal to €178 per month), followed by couples without children with a reference person in the same age group (8.9%, equal to €291 per month). The latter also show the highest share of expenditure on recreation, sport and culture (5.3%, €171 per month). Single-parent families, on the other hand, allocate the most resources to expenditure on personal care goods and services, social protection services and other goods and services (5.5%, €144 per month). Finally, the highest share of expenditure on healthcare continues to be found in households with a reference person aged 65 or over, whether living as a couple without children (5.8%, €164 per month) or living alone (5.7%, €103).
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