EUR 3,032 per month. That's how much the average German household spends on private consumption, according to the Einkommens- und Verbrauchsstichprobe (EVS) 2023, published on December 9, 2025. It's the biggest survey of its kind: 54,000 households, and the first complete picture of how the energy crisis and food price surges permanently changed German consumer behavior.
The Big Breakdown
Housing eats everything. 37.5% of the budget (EUR 1,137) goes to rent, energy, and maintenance. Food comes next at EUR 436 (14.4%), followed by transport at EUR 347 (12%). Together, that's almost two-thirds. Leisure, culture, dining out, and everything else splits the remainder.
| Category | Monthly (EUR) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Housing, energy, maintenance | 1,137 | 37.5% |
| Food, beverages, tobacco | 436 | 14.4% |
| Transport & mobility | 347 | 12.0% |
| Leisure, sports, culture | 260 | 8.6% |
| Restaurants & accommodation | 206 | 6.8% |
| Information & communication | 142 | 4.7% |
| Health & care | 118 | 3.9% |
| Clothing & shoes | 111 | 3.6% |
| Education & other services | 275 | 9.0% |
What's missing from this table: the buffer that used to exist. When 37.5% of your income goes to housing alone, there's barely any room left for unexpected expenses or savings. Sparkasse confirms it: more than half of household budgets now goes to housing and food combined.
The Average Isn't Reality
EUR 3,032 sounds like a workable number. But it hides more than it reveals.
A single-person household spends EUR 1,833 to 1,918. Sounds less, but it's actually tougher in relative terms. Fixed costs like internet, electricity base fees, and insurance can't be split. According to myStipendium, a single person often spends 75% of their net income on living expenses. The average across all household types is 55%.
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