Large differences in spending between young and old

A large part of spending by young households (up to age 35) was taken up by education, leisure and transport, while households of the over-65s spent a lot on housing. Households in which the main breadwinner was middle-aged (45–64 years) showed the highest spending in absolute terms. 

Spending peak for the middle-aged

Average household spending was nearly 21 thousand euro in 2005. Households with a main earner aged between 45 and 65 years spent most: 23 thousand euro on average in 2005. The youngest households (up to 35 years) and the oldest (over 65) spent less: just under 19 thousand euro and 18 thousand euro respectively.

Spending per household, 2005

Housing and leisure account for most of spending by young people

Spending patterns differ between young and old households. Younger households use more than one third of total spending for housing and another third on education, leisure and transport. Households of the over-65s spend twice as mush on housing (such as rent and maintenance) as on education, leisure and transport.

Spending per household, 2005

One sixth on traffic and transport

In 2005 households spent and average of more than 3,300 euro on traffic and transport, one sixth of their total spending. Households with main earners aged from 45 to 55 years spent relatively most on traffic and transport. Younger and older main earners spent less on this category.

Holiday spending ,too, was highest for households with a middle-aged breadwinner. These households spent an average 1,400 euro on holidays. For younger and older households this was substantially lower. Young households, for example, spent an average 800 euro on holidays, the over-65s 900 euro.

Spending on traffic and transport, 2005

Claudia Valkenburg