IMAS Study: Financial Situation Worse for Two-Fifths of Austrians Compared to 5 Years Ago

Price increases are affecting households less than in June 2023. 15 percent feel very strongly affected, compared to 22 percent in 2023. 43 percent perceive the burden as rather strong, compared to 47 percent the previous year. 27 percent hardly notice the inflation, in 2023 it was only 21 percent. 5 percent do not notice the price increases at all, this proportion remained unchanged. For the study, a total of 1,034 people aged 16 and over were interviewed in person in March 2025, representative of the Austrian population.

Austrians Eat Out and Order Less

Most Austrians save on eating out and ordering food (29 percent), 22 percent each reduced their investments and provisions or cut back in the area of furniture and decoration. 19 percent each tighten their belts on vacations and gifts. 18 percent forgo spending on clothing and shoes as well as on electronic devices. 22 percent cannot - or do not - save at all on rent, and one-fifth do not cut back on sports.

The average price - without discount or offer - for one kilogram of bread was estimated at 3.50 euros, for one liter of milk at 1.48 euros, and for 250 grams of butter at 2.58 euros. Over 80 percent of respondents said that butter, cheese, bread, milk, eggs, salmon fillet, and beef have become more expensive. Also, over 60 percent noticed a price increase in whole milk chocolate, flour, sugar, powdered detergent, apples, chicken meat, rice, potatoes, pork, and Coca-Cola.

Take Advantage of Promotions and Gather Offers

Consumers (around 60 percent) are responding to higher prices by paying more attention to promotions and gathering multiple offers - this remained the same compared to 2023. 48 percent use advantage apps from grocery stores. Currently, 42 percent are buying fewer products, while two years ago 52 percent saved on quantity. Used products are not popular with Upper Austrians - around 70 percent hardly ever use this option, only 23 percent save this way. In 2023, 31 percent were still willing to save money by shopping second-hand.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.