Italy is not a country for singles. For those who live alone, the cost of living in the country is almost double that of those who live with their family.
According to a survey of the Coldiretti, with data from Istat, housing, food and transportation expenses weigh disproportionately on the pockets of single people, who face expenses, on average, 80% higher than those of each member of a family of three people.
Housing and bills: the biggest costs for singles
According to Coldiretti, housing expenses are the most important for those who live alone. A single person in Italy spends, on average, 156% more on housing and bills, such as electricity and heating, compared to each member of a family of three.
This is because many expenses are fixed and cannot be divided, such as rent, electricity and gas. In addition, smaller properties, which are more sought after by singles, have a higher price per square meter for both rent and purchase, creating an “economic gap” in relation to families.
“This economic imbalance is observed in practically all sectors”, highlights the study.
Food: costs and waste
Food also weighs more heavily on the pockets of those who live alone. The average monthly cost of food for a single person is 337 euros, 53% more than the average individual expenditure for a family of three.
According to the study, the difference is due to the difficulty in finding smaller food formats at competitive prices, in addition to a greater consumption of ready-made foods, which are practical, but often less healthy and more expensive.
“The trend of buying ready-made meals or ultra-processed foods, especially among young people with less time, also makes food more expensive,” points out Coldiretti.
This dynamic ends up generating greater waste, as products in larger formats, aimed at families, can deteriorate before being consumed in full by a single person.
Transportation: travel without sharing costs
Another significant expense for singles is related to transportation. For those who live alone, car trips, for example, represent a cost that cannot be shared.
This makes each trip more expensive, as the fuel, tolls and other costs fall entirely on a single person.
Economic Challenges for Lonely Seniors
Coldiretti also notes that not everyone who lives alone makes this choice of their own free will.
Many people, especially the elderly, end up living alone due to the aging population and face financial difficulties in covering monthly expenses. For this segment of the population, the situation becomes even more critical, exposing them to a condition of economic vulnerability.
The study says living alone in Italy can be nice, but it is expensive and difficult, especially in a country with inflation and economic instability. (Photo: Depositphotos)
FOLLOW-US
