In 2024, private households in Germany dedicated an average of 9.5 percent of their consumer spending to leisure, sports, and culture. According to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Monday, this translated to an average monthly expenditure of 309 euros. Overall, households spent an average of 3,257 euros per month on living costs. This figure marks an increase from 2022, when households allocated 8.6 percent of their monthly spending (averaging 245 euros from total spending of 2,846 euros) to these areas.
This spending category includes various items such as sports and leisure goods, books, magazines, musical instruments, toys, and hobby supplies. It also covers costs for cultural and recreational offers (like admission tickets or courses), garden items, pets, and package holidays.
Although leisure, sports, and culture remains a significant part of the household budget, it is not the largest spending category. Housing, including energy and home maintenance, remains the dominant expense, accounting for over a third (36.3 percent) of total consumer spending. Food expenditures follow at 14.0 percent, with transport at 13.8 percent. Leisure, sports, and culture ranks fourth, representing nearly one-tenth of the total funds spent by private households.
Spending habits vary significantly based on income. Households earning less than 1,300 euros per month in 2024 spent an average of 5.7 percent of their consumer budget (76 euros out of 1,332 euros) on leisure, sports, and culture. In stark contrast, households earning 5,000 euros or more per month dedicated 10.7 percent of their spending (545 euros out of 5,075 euros)-nearly double the lower income bracket.
Differences are also evident between household types. Singles allocated the least amount to leisure, sports, and culture, spending an average of 8.3 percent of their consumer budget (170 euros out of 2,042 euros monthly). Conversely, couples without children spent the highest proportion at 10.1 percent (394 euros out of 3,885 euros). Similar high percentages were observed among single parents at 9.9 percent (276 euros out of 2,790 euros), and families with children at 9.8 percent (456 euros out of 4,664 euros).
