Andorran Households Surge Alcohol, Tobacco Spending 61.6% in 2024

Andorran households increased spending on alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics by 61.6% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the Department of Statistics' Household Budget Survey. This category ranked as the second-largest riser, behind only healthcare.

Average annual expenditure per household in this group climbed from 377 euros to 590 euros. The rise was widespread: domestic purchases grew by 60%, while spending abroad surged 92.5%. Overall household expenditure rose 17.3%, or 13.4% per household, but patterns varied sharply by income level.

Lower-income families allocated over 61% of their budgets to essentials—housing, water, gas, electricity, fuels, food, and non-alcoholic beverages—leaving limited room for discretionary items. In contrast, higher-income households devoted just 41.9% to these basics, freeing up funds for transport, healthcare, and leisure.

Housing costs continued to weigh heavily, with 61.7% of residents renting—a slight dip from 2023. Average rent reached 732.6 euros monthly, with the median at 666.7 euros. The mean price per square metre stood at 9.4 euros, though new contracts averaged 12.8 euros, up from 11.7 euros the year before.

Spending outside Andorra jumped 28.1%, far outpacing domestic outlays. Households spent an average of 9,359 euros abroad annually, a 23.9% increase, driven by healthcare (+131.3%), transport (+62.6%), and miscellaneous goods and services (+51.5%). This trend may reflect pursuits of better prices, specialised services, or shifting habits.

The data highlight growing consumption overall, alongside deepening divides: while some households expand into leisure and cross-border purchases, others remain constrained by core needs like shelter and food.