Updated
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One out of every 3 households assures that they will get out of this “poorest” period and 40% believe that there will be no improvements and feel insecure about the future
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Every time it seems to be closer or, at least, the end of the coronavirus pandemic is in sight. The withdrawal of indoor masks seems almost a reality, the return to almost complete normality, to that of before the Covid, etc. And with this you can begin to quantify how much the pandemic has cost. According to the study The Covid bill in Spanish householdsmade by the Owners Mutual Groupspecialist in comprehensive solutions around real estate, carried out through a sample of more than 1,600 interviews, the average amount of the pandemic amounted to 1.712,50 eurosin concept of expenses to face the new needs derived from the coronavirus, both in adaptation of the home and in protection material.
“The pandemic has left a bill that, for some households, is easier to pay and has even allowed them to save and that, for others, has meant an effort that makes them see the economic future in a more pessimistic way“, explains Laura López Demarbre, Director of Strategy of the group. In fact, The majority feeling (40%) is shown by those households that consider that there will be no improvement and that they feel insecure about the future.
The report, which analyzes the habits acquired during the pandemic and its economic impact, concludes that 1 out of 3 households claims to leave this “poorer” period. A situation that has been reached by the increase in expenses derived from the telecommuting (Four. Five%); the decline in income (37%); the rental price increase (29%); the affectations by ERTE (23%); the investment losses (16%) or the dismissal of a household member (12%).
According to the report, passing through the economic sieve, the customs that have been incorporated as a result of the pandemic, we find ourselves with a disparate vision depending on the household. While habits like order food at home; the television platforms or the heavy internet use, have a perception of spending, others such as cooking or playing sports at home that are perceived as savings since the alternative, eating out or going to a sports center, means a greater amount. “However, the great controversy is generated by the telecommutingwhich is similarly viewed as saving or spending since they are placed on the balance the costs of working from home compared to the savings of commuting to the workplace”, explains López Demarbre.
Taking these variables into account, the average bill that the Covid-19 has left in Spanish households between March 2020 and September 2021 finds its higher amount in the reforms (679,17€); followed by protection materials against the virus (322,77 €); the increase in electricity costs (220,93 €); and the necessary furniture to adapt the environment (161,43 €).
Although some of the expenses incurred during the health crisis would have been made in the same way – acquisition of electrical appliances or furniture – there are others whose trigger is closely linked to the new habits derived from pandemic. This is the case of hiring digital platforms (28,08 €), the purchase of sport equipment (58,04 €) o la acquisition of computer equipment (136,20 €).
In this sense, a 34% of households has contracted television platforms during the pandemic, and that 1 in 3 has invested in computer equipmentequipping their homes with the necessary technological tools to be able to relate virtually or to telework.
The report also analyzes the new habits adopted during the health crisis. Specifically, 6 out of 10 people consulted stated that, from the start of the pandemic, relates more in a virtual way; 61% use more internet; 59% watch more digital platform television; 52% cook more often; 49% play sports at home; 41% telework; and 39% ask for more food at home.
And for the future? Working and playing sports at home or interacting virtually are considered habits that will disappear. Cooking or watching television through digital platforms are the ones that are here to stayalthough, without a doubt, the curious case is that of food delivery: despite being perceived as a habit that generates spending, 82% of those surveyed say that they will continue to do so, even to a greater extent.
According to the criteria of
