Il 42% dei consumi delle famiglie destinato alle spese obbligate

In 2026, Italian families are projected to allocate nearly 42% of their total consumer spending to mandatory expenses, amounting to 9,693 euros per household. Over the past three decades, the share of these mandatory expenses has risen by 4.7%, and it is anticipated to worsen in 2026 due to high energy costs. Mandatory expenses encompass essential goods and services that families cannot forego, such as rent, housing-related costs, utility bills, healthcare, transportation, and insurance.

Housing expenses constitute the most significant portion, with Italians spending 5,335 euros annually per person, a 1.4% increase from 2025. Following housing, insurance and fuel (2,310 euros) and energy costs (1,829 euros) come next. Over the long term, energy expenses have consistently declined due to efficiency gains in lighting, small and large appliances, and vehicles, saving consumers 1,231 euros across three decades, which explains the 1,829 euros spent on energy, gas, and fuel.

These are the main findings from the Ufficio Studi di Confcommercio analysis on Italian families' mandatory expenses from 1995 to 2026. Despite a slowdown in mandatory expenses, their impact on family budgets remains high, especially for fuel and bills due to energy price hikes. Addressing taxation and tariffs to eliminate distortions in fixed costs is necessary, as Carlo Sangalli, Confcommercio president, commented on the data.

The heightened share of mandatory expenses in family budgets is primarily due to the dynamic shifts in prices, which have risen much faster than commercial goods and services. The energy, gas, and fuel aggregate saw a 211% price increase over three decades. Despite a recovery in demand for some durable goods, overall consumer spending on commercial goods and services is expected to remain stable at 58.3% for this year.

Mandatory expenses have risen to 41.7% from 37.0%, limiting the portion available for purchasing commercial goods and services. Consumers are increasingly investing in essential items like smartphones, PCs, and internet access, which have become indispensable for banking and communication with the government. According to the Ufficio Studi di Confcommercio, families aim to recover primarily the portion spent on commercial services, which has not yet returned to the 21.3% level seen in 2019.

However, commercial goods as a whole are expected to see further decline in their share, dropping to 37.5% this year. The analysis of volumes and prices shows that the rise in the percentage of mandatory expenses is linked to consumer price hikes, while the population decline between 2014 and 2026 has seen a loss of about 1.5 million people, along with aging demographics.

Over the past 20 years, there has been no growth in per capita purchasing volumes, resuming only in the 2025-2026 period. Food items have seen a continuous decrease in quantities purchased, with the weight of aging society and increased dining out putting pressure on this sector. Families are consuming more meals outside the home, contributing to the challenge.

The Ufficio Studi di Confcommercio expects an annual 1.9% growth in commercial services quantities purchased, amounting to 98 euros per resident. Inflation has led to a 140.8% increase in consumer prices, compared to 57.4% for commercial goods and 88.4% for services, which are considered discretionary choices.