Increasing gap between active and retired households

According to KSH data, per capita consumption of food in households was nearly HUF 153, 000 in 2007, while peer capita consumption of alcohol-free beverages was over HUF 14,000. These accounted for 24 percent of total consumption. Food prices rose faster than inflation in 2007, at 12.8 percent. A 4.1 percent drop in the quantity of food consumed took place in 2007, as a result in changing lifestyle and higher prices. Food from own production accounted for only 11.7 percent of household consumption. Catering expenditure was HUF 22,500 in 2007, which represents a 21 percent increase compared to 2000 at current prices. Consumption of animal fats has dropped substantially, while the consumption of oils stabilised around 10 kg/capita/year. Consumption of bread has dropped, while that of other bakery products increased. Meat consumption stagnated in the subject period, with a drop in pork consumption and an increase in that of processed meat. The consumption of fish, milk, vegetables and fruits remained low by European standards. Low income groups respond to price rises sensitively, by choosing substitutes when higher than average price increases occur. At the same time, preference for healthier food products has been growing. The biggest differences between low and high income groups can be detected in the consumption of cheese, vegetables and fruits. Lower income groups spend a higher proportion of their income on food than higher income groups. In households with active wage earners, HUF 158,000 was spent on food in 2007, while the same figure was HUF 205,000 in households of retired couples. These amounts represented 22.3 and 27.6 percent of total expenditure respectively. Households of retired people often cater for the needs of younger family members on an occasional basis. Retired couples often support their children and grandchildren with food, but this kind of assistance is in decline. In 2007, per capita food expenditure in households of retired couples which belong in the top 20 percent income group accounted for 22,9 percent of their total personal expenditure. 33 percent of households (1.2 million) include children under 21. Their structure of consumption is different from those where there are no children. Per capita food consumption is lower in households with children than that of households without children and the difference is proportionate to the number of children.