This expense accounted for the largest portion of household budgets
The Ministry of Ecological Transition has published a report on the energy balance for the years 2018 through 2022. According to the figures presented in the report, household spending on fuel exceeded energy costs related to housing in 2022.
Although fuel prices have fallen in recent weeks, this trend is not enough to offset the sharp rise in rates that has been weighing on French households’ budgets for the past few years. In 2022, the average household’s energy expenditure totaled 3,551 euros, including 1,744 euros for home energy and 1,808 euros for fuel.
This energy bill increased by 10% in constant euros compared with 2021. While average housing-related energy expenses have remained flat, fuel expenses have risen by 23%.
This shift took place gradually and came to fruition in 2022. It can be attributed not only to rising fuel prices but also to the resumption of car travel following the pandemic. At the same time, energy consumption in homes is declining, thanks to a public policy of renovation that makes them more energy-efficient.
In 2021, the average household energy expenditure was 3,141 euros, of which 1,720 euros went toward housing and 1,420 euros toward fuel. The difference was even greater in 2020, with fuel costs totaling 1,099 euros and housing costs totaling 1,589 euros, for a total budget of 2,688 euros.
