Household real income rose in both the euro area and the European Union in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to figures published by Eurostat on Tuesday.
In the euro area, real household income per capita increased by 0.1% compared with the previous quarter, after remaining stable in the third quarter. Across the EU, it rose by 0.2%, following a 0.1% increase in the previous quarter.
Real household consumption per capita in the euro area increased by 0.5% in the fourth quarter, after a 0.4% rise in the previous quarter. In the EU as a whole, consumption grew by 0.6%, maintaining the same pace as in the third quarter.
Eurostat said the rise in euro area real income was mainly linked to the positive contribution of net property income and other net current transfers. In the EU, the main positive contribution came from compensation of employees. Current taxes and net social contributions had the largest negative impact in both the euro area and the EU.
Savings rate declines
The household savings rate fell by 0.4 percentage points in the euro area and by 0.5 percentage points in the EU compared with the previous quarter.
Among member states for which data were available, the savings rate increased in six countries, remained stable in one and declined in eight. The largest increase was recorded in Greece, at 2.1 percentage points, followed by Austria at 1.6 points and Czechia at 0.6 points.
The sharpest declines were recorded in Hungary, down 1.4 points, Italy, down 0.8 points, and Finland, down 0.5 points.
Household investment rates edged up by 0.1 percentage points in both the euro area and the EU. Among member states with available data, increases were recorded in eight countries, no change in two and declines in five.
Italy recorded the largest increase, at 0.5 percentage points, followed by Portugal at 0.2 points. The biggest falls were recorded in Czechia, down 0.4 points, and Austria, down 0.2 points.
The data are based on quarterly seasonally adjusted national accounts and track key household economic indicators, including income, consumption, savings and investment.
No figures were available for Cyprus for 2025.
Source: CNA