Rising trend in food spending relative to minimum wage in Lithuania and Estonia
Between January 2022 and January 2024,
Lithuania and
Estonia have witnessed a notable increase in the percentage of
minimum wage spent on basic food. Lithuania's food spending as a percentage of minimum
wage escalated from
14.7% to
16.7%, while Estonia saw an increase from
14.9% to
16.1%. These increments reflect a rising cost burden on individuals earning minimum wage in these countries.
Stability in Estonia's food spending percentage in recent years
Estonia has shown remarkable stability in the proportion of minimum wage allocated to basic food spending from January 2023 to January 2024, maintaining a steady rate at
16.1%. This consistency indicates a stabilization of food prices relative to minimum wage, suggesting that any economic pressures affecting food affordability were relatively constant during this period.
Marginal increase in Latvia's food spending percentage over two years
Latvia's basic food spending as a percentage of minimum wage saw a marginal increase from
19.4% in January 2022 to
19.5% in January 2023, followed by a slight decrease to
18.9% by January 2024. The overall minor fluctuation highlights a relatively stable economic balance between earnings and food prices in Latvia over the observed period.
Decrease in Latvia's food spending percentage from 2023 to 2024
Latvia is the only country among the Baltics to report a decrease in the percentage of minimum wage spent on basic food, moving from
19.5% in January 2023 to
18.9% in January 2024. This reduction suggests an improvement in food affordability or an increase in minimum wage, enhancing the financial well-being of those on minimum wage.
Comparison of food spending to minimum wage across the Baltics in 2024
As of January 2024, Latvia exhibits the highest percentage of minimum wage spent on basic food at
18.9%, followed closely by Lithuania at
16.7% and Estonia at
16.1%. This comparison underscores the variances in food affordability and economic conditions across the Baltic countries, with Latvia facing the greatest burden relative to minimum wage earners.