Average Household Spending in Spain Hits Record High in 2025

Average household spending in Spain reached a record 35,101 euros in 2025, a 3.1% increase over the previous year, according to the latest Encuesta de Presupuestos Familiares (EPF) released by the National Statistics Institute (INE). While this marks the fifth consecutive year of growth, the pace of the increase slowed compared to the 4.4% rise recorded in 2024. Housing, electricity, and food remain the dominant drivers of household budgets, consuming nearly half of total available income for the average family.

How Much Do Households Spend on Housing and Food?

Housing-related costs—specifically rent, mortgage interest, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels—accounted for 33.2% of total household budgets in 2025. According to INE data, this category required an average expenditure of 11,665 euros per household, a 5.8% increase from the prior year. When combined with food expenditures, which averaged 5,626 euros per household, these essential costs represent approximately 49.2% of total annual spending. The INE data clarifies that the housing category reflects maintenance and utility costs rather than the purchase price of property.

Why Does Spending Impact Lower-Income Households More?

The burden of essential costs is not distributed equally across income levels. Data from the INE shows that the 20% of households with the lowest spending levels (the first quintile) allocated 61.5% of their budget to housing, utilities, and food. In contrast, the 20% of households with the highest spending levels (the fifth quintile) dedicated only 41.2% of their budget to these same necessities. This disparity leaves high-spending households with significantly more disposable income for discretionary items; the top quintile spent 33.6% of their budget on transport, dining, lodging, and cultural activities, while the lowest-spending quintile dedicated only 15.7% to these categories.

Which Spending Categories Decreased in 2025?

Despite the overall rise in costs, some sectors saw a reduction in average household expenditure. Spending on alcoholic beverages and tobacco recorded the largest decline, falling 3.4% to an average of 432 euros. Households also reduced spending on dining and lodging services by 2.7%, bringing the average to 3,282 euros. Additionally, expenditures on household furnishings and routine maintenance fell by 2.1%, while spending on information and communications saw a 2.0% decrease. These shifts suggest a strategic reallocation of funds by families to prioritize fixed housing and utility obligations over leisure and non-essential goods.

How Does Household Composition Affect Spending?

Average spending varies significantly depending on the structure of the household. Couples with children reported the highest average expenditure at 44,438 euros, an increase of 1,275 euros compared to 2024. Conversely, single-person households aged 65 or older reported the lowest average spending at 23,024 euros, followed closely by single-person households under 65 at 23,784 euros. While the national average spending per person rose by 3.2% to 14,066 euros, the most significant growth in spending was observed in households consisting of a single person under 65, which increased by 7% over the previous year.

Key Takeaways

• Record Spending: Average annual household expenditure rose to 35,101 euros in 2025.
• Housing Dominance: Housing and utilities now constitute over one-third (33.2%) of the average household’s total budget.
• Inequality Gap: Lower-spending households devote 61.5% of their income to basic survival costs, compared to 41.2% for higher-spending households.
• Category Shifts: While essentials rose, spending on alcohol, tobacco, and dining out decreased compared to 2024.