The cost of feeding a family of four shot up by €3,543 in four years, according to a new study commissioned by Caritas. The cost of food for low-income families has risen by up to 50% over the past four years with families with children barely earning enough money to cover basic life expenses, the study found. Whereas in 2020, food cost a low-income family with two children €7,132, this shot up to €10,675 in 2024.
In the case of an elderly low-income couple, they spent €3,375 on food in 2020 which increased by 33% - to €4,488 this year. This emerged in the study titled The Minimum Essential Budget for a Decent Living 2024 published by Caritas Malta on Wednesday. The study, the fourth in its series, builds on three previous full studies carried out in 2012, 2016 and 2020.
Two mini studies, that focused on food and health, were conducted in 2022 and 2023. As with previous studies, the 2024 study looked at three categories of low-income households: two children and two adults, a single parent with two children, and an elderly couple. The study looked at their income – based on minimum wage, social benefits, bonuses and allowances.
These were layered over basic life expenses. It did this by creating a basic basket of goods that included: food, clothing, health items, housing and household maintenance-related items, transport, education and culture, and personal care. Certain items were added to the 2024 basic basket to reflect people’s needs.
These included: pricing.