The figures, from 2018, place Cyprus slightly lower than Portugal (9.2%) and ahead of Italy (7.8%).

In 2018, households in the European Union spent over €600 billion on ‘catering services’ such as restaurants, cafés and canteens.

On average, household expenditure on catering services represents 7% of total consumption expenditure.

The share of household expenditure devoted to catering services was largest in Ireland (14.4%), ahead of Spain (13%), Malta (12.6%) and Greece (12.4%, 2017 data). In contrast, the lowest share was recorded in Romania (1.9%), followed by Poland (3%) and Lithuania (3.4%).

Between 2008 and 2018, the share of total household expenditure on catering services increased in most EU member states where 2018 data is available. The largest increase was recorded in Malta (from 8.2% of total household expenditure in 2008 to 12.6% in 2018, or an increase of 4.4 percentage points (pp), followed by Ireland (+2.9 pp) and Hungary (+2.5 pp).

In contrast, household expenditure on catering services decreased in four EU member states. The largest decrease was recorded in Romania (from 2.9% in 2008 to 1.9% in 2018, or a decrease of 1.0 pp), Spain (-0.8 pp) and Slovakia (-0.5 pp).

Source: Cyprus Mail