A new report from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC) reveals how income levels influence the way households in Luxembourg allocate their food budgets. The study compares the spending habits of the lowest and highest 20% of earners, highlighting significant differences in purchasing patterns and consumption choices.
Higher-income households dedicate a larger share of their budget to dining out, with restaurants accounting for 43.4% of their food expenditures compared to 35.1% for lower-income households. They also frequent cafés, bistros, and workplace canteens more often.
In contrast, lower-income households rely more on school canteens and takeaway meals, which make up a greater proportion of their food spending.
Differences extend to food categories, with lower-income households allocating more of their budget to meats, sugary drinks, and processed foods, while wealthier households spend more on organic products, fresh produce, dairy, and fish.
The report also shows that shopping preferences vary by income level. Wealthier consumers favour supermarkets and local markets, whereas lower-income households rely more on discount stores, where they allocate 27% of their food budget compared to just 3.5% for higher earners.
The findings, according to STATEC, suggest that while income shapes food choices, it does not necessarily determine diet quality. Despite prioritising affordability, lower-income households do not consume significantly less healthy foods than their wealthier counterparts.
