Families around the world spend 156% of monthly income on Christmas

Families around the world can expect to spend up to 156% of their monthly income on Christmas this year, according to the latest results from the WorldRemit Cost of Christmas study. The study found that households in Lebanon will pay the highest amount compared to their average monthly income (688%) while families in The Netherlands will be least financially impacted, with costs only accounting for 19% of the average household's monthly income. 

With unique traditions, gift giving ideas, and seasonal meals in every region, the global landscape sees a wide diversity of costs associated with the holiday season. 

In its second year, the findings are part of WorldRemit’s 2022 Cost of Christmas Study, which observes how the changing macroeconomic environment affects the cost of standard Christmas elements, including the main holiday meal, average gift spending and decor, across 23 countries globally. In addition to the 14 countries from the initial study, the brand added 9 new countries this year to further observe the ways different cultures celebrate, and budget for, the global holiday. The study compares the average cost of food, gifts, and decor to average household incomes to determine the season’s financial impact on families around the world.

Year-over-year findings

Of the 14 countries examined for the second season, five are considered developed economies: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, France and Australia. The 2022 findings reveal the average seasonal increase across these five countries was 33%, with the UK seeing the greatest change, as prices rose more than 60% year over year for the Brits. This anticipated high cost is brought on by the drastic and sudden increase in inflation, which has forecasters predicting more extreme costs this season.Of these nations, France is the only country expected to save this year, with an 11% cost reduction across items observed. While costs across the three categories decreased less than $50 USD each, the slight consistent change drove down costs overall, giving the French another reason to celebrate.

United Kingdom

• Total Year-Over-Year Difference - +65%

• 2022 Total Spend - $1,075.24

• Average Food Cost per Household - $174.12

• Average Gift Cost per Household - $702.13

• Average Decor Cost per Household - $198.99

• Percentage of Monthly Household Income - 35.60%

United States

• Total Year-Over-Year Difference - +44%

• 2022 Total Spend - $1,235.54

• Average Food Cost per Household - $118.54

• Average Gift Cost per Household - $886.00

• Average Decor Cost per Household - $231.00

• Percentage of Monthly Household Income - 27.82%

Canada

• Total Year-Over-Year Difference - +36%

• 2022 Total Spend - $2,100.38

• Average Food Cost per Household - $398.67

• Average Gift Cost per Household - $1,156.58

• Average Decor Cost per Household - $545.13

• Percentage of Monthly Household Income - 72.41%

France

• Total Year-Over-Year Difference - -11%

• 2022 Total Spend - $1,127.35

• Average Food Cost per Household - $239.76

• Average Gift Cost per Household - $646.72

• Average Decor Cost per Household - $240.87

• Percentage of Monthly Household Income - 42.57%

Australia

• Total Year-Over-Year Difference - +34%

• 2022 Total Spend - $1,076.86

• Average Food Cost per Household - $393.93

• Average Gift Cost per Household - $478.35

• Average Decor Cost per Household - $204.58

• Percentage of Monthly Household Income - 32.97%

Of the remaining nine countries indexed (Cameroon, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Philippines, and Mexico), the average cost of Christmas increased by 9%, and the cost changes varied widely. While India (-2%), Kenya (-17%), and the Philippines (-38%) saw a reduction in costs this year, Cameroon (+56%) and Uganda (+34%) will see substantial increases. Of these nine countries, India was the only nation that can expect to spend less than an average’s month of income, with holiday costs accounting for 99% of the average Indian family’s monthly income.  

Across the 14 countries observed in both 2021 and 2022 studies, the increase in the Cost of Christmas was, in part, attributed to a rise in the amount of money allocated towards food over the holidays. This consistent increase in the price of food, which saw the highest increase (50%) year over year, compared to 13% and 21% increases across the other categories, means families globally will likely need to shift their budget planning to accommodate for the increased costs of holiday meals.  These findings reflect similar conclusions drawn in WorldRemit’s recent Cost of School and Cost of Living studies. Further details include:

• In Lebanon, the average household spends 688% of their monthly income on Christmas celebrations

• In the United States, the cost of gift and decor accounted for the majority of the total year-over-year increase, rising by +37% and +131% respectively

• The United Kingdom saw the greatest increase in the cost of Christmas at 65% higher than 2021

• Cameroon, Lebanon, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and the Philippines are likely to spend more than 100% of their monthly household income on Christmas

• Canada is preparing for the highest cost of Christmas among observed countries, totalling $2,100.38 USD per average household

2022 study: findings of the nine additional countries observed

WorldRemit added nine new countries to the annual index, including Germany, the Netherlands, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Fiji, Spain, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. Results show that Zimbabwe will be most impacted by this year’s costs compared to the nation’s average monthly household income, as most families can expect to pay more than 2.6 times their income on the holiday. Zimbabwe is a nation that is heavily impacted by remittances - in 2020, the inflow of remittances accounted for more than 10% of the nation’s GDP. Other countries, including Fiji and Morocco spend close to 100% of their monthly income on Christmas.

All figures USD

• In Germany, more than 70% of the total spend ($1,452.64) is allocated towards gifts

• The Netherlands is likely to spend the lowest share of household income on Christmas at 19%

• Zimbabwe spends $208.70 on Christmas, which accounts for 266% of the average monthly household income

• South Africa lands in the bottom quartile of countries analysed, spending $172.28 on Christmas

• While Fiji only spends $36.15 on food at Christmas, $203.03 are spent on decorations and overall costs account for more than 85% of the average monthly household income

• In Spain, the majority of the cost of Christmas is allocated to food at $231.23 of the total $499.37 spent

• Colombia will likely spend 73% of their average monthly household income on Christmas in 2022

• Families in the Dominican Republic can expect to spend $179 on Christmas, with up to $136 of this being spent on decorations

• Guatemala’s households will spend spend $315 on Christmas, which accounts for 96% of average monthly household income

Methodology

In the study, WorldRemit looked at the following countries and researched the cost of food, gifts, and decor:

• United States of America

• United Kingdom

• Canada

• France

• Australia

• Cameroon

• India

• Lebanon

• Nigeria

• Rwanda

• Uganda

• Kenya

• Philippines

• Mexico

• Germany

• Netherlands

• Zimbabwe

• South Africa

• Fiji

• Spain

• Colombia

• Dominican Republic

• Guatemala

The Christmas items were selected based on desk research of typical Christmas meals, gifts and decorations. We then researched the average price of each item for an average family on an average income. The prices were researched online in late October 2022 - November 2022. Prices and breakdowns of what is appropriate for Christmas celebrations in each country were then shared with locals of that country who we hired to validate the data as correct. 

The exchange rate from the local currency was calculated on October 24th, 2022. The percentage figures are percentages of the overall budget in the local currency.

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We disrupted an industry previously dominated by offline legacy players by taking international money transfers online – making them safer, faster and lower cost. We currently operate in more than 5,000 money transfer corridors worldwide and as part of Zepz, are part of a 1,400 person global workforce.

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About Zepz

Zepz Group is the group powering leading global remittance brands: WorldRemit and Sendwave. Since 2021, Zepz Group has been disrupting an industry previously dominated by offline legacy players by reducing the barriers to finance and increasing safety and convenience for users. Every day, Zepz Group and its brands work towards unlocking the prosperity of cross-border communities through finance and technology - driven by the vision of a world that celebrates migrants’ impact on prosperity, at home and abroad.

Zepz Group brands have helped cross-border communities send over $15bn from 50 countries, to recipients in 130 countries in 2022, and operate over 5,000 money transfer corridors worldwide. Zepz Group employs over 1,400 people globally as a remote-first employer, with team members located across six continents.