The cost of living crisis – how does it impact the health and life of individuals? A survey exploring perceptions in Italy, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom

Respondent characteristics

A total of 8,152 unique individuals responded to the survey and were included in the analysis (Table 1), with participants recruited equally from each participating country: Italy (n = 2,036), Germany (n = 2,027), Sweden (n = 2,017) and the United Kingdom (n = 2,027). The survey was closed by YouGov when the pre-determined sample size had been achieved.

Individuals aged 36–64 were the most prevalent group (53.2%), compared to those 18–35 (26.4%) and 65+ (20.3%). There was a similar gender split across all countries (50.9% female, 49.1% male). Income quintiles were calculated based on the reported income bands per country, however, 19.6% of the overall study population did not report their income. In terms of location, most individuals resided in an urban setting (62.3%), compared to rural (22.2%) and mixed (14.6%). The UK was the only country in which some individuals (76, 3.7%) did not report their location. Finally, across all countries, most individuals (82.3%) reported having good health in the 12 months prior to the survey.

Research objective 1: Associations between the impact of the CoLC and participants’ reported life and health

When investigating the impact of the CoLC on participants’ reported life across all four participating countries (Table 2, survey question: “Thinking in general, to what extent, if at all, has the cost of living crisis had a positive or negative impact on your life?“), individuals aged 36–64 were 42% (p < 0.001) more likely to report a negative impact on their life compared to those aged 18–36, while those aged 65 + did not show a significant difference. Females were 12% (p = 0.041) more likely than males to report a negative impact on their life. With relation to participants’ income, when compared to those in quintile 3 of earnings, those in quintile 1 were 37% more likely (p = 0.002) to report a negative impact, while those in quintile 5 were 38% (p < 0.001) less likely. Those that did not report their earnings were 17% less likely (p = 0.038) to report a negative impact compared to those in income quintile 3. Participants that reported not having good health in the previous twelve months were 85% more likely (p < 0.001) to report a negative impact on their life compared to those who perceived themselves to be in good health. Finally, compared to UK residents, those in Italy were 59% more likely (p < 0.001) to report a negative impact of the CoLC on their life, while those in Germany and Sweden were 19% (p = 0.008) and 35% (p < 0.001) less likely to report a negative impact on their life. There were no significant differences identified based on participants’ location within their country (rural/urban/mixed).

When analysing the impact of the CoLC on participants’ health (Table 2, survey question: “Thinking specifically about your health, to what extent, if at all, has the cost of living crisis had a positive or negative impact on you?“) participants aged 36–64 were 14% more likely (p = 0.020) to report a negative impact on their health compared to those aged 18–35. Participants aged 65 + were 34% less likely (p < 0.001) to report a negative impact on their health when again compared to those aged 18–35. Females were 10% more likely (p = 0.037) to report a negative impact on their health. Individuals in lower income quintiles 1 and 2 were 48% (p < 0.001) and 26% (p = 0.005) more likely, respectively, to report a negative impact on their health compared to those in income quintile 3. Participants in income quintile 4, 5 and those that did not report their income where 15% (p = 0.047), 41% (p < 0.001) and 22% (p = 0.002) less likely than those in income quintile 3, respectively, to report a negative impact on their health. Those that reported having poor health prior to the survey were 3.16 times more likely to report a negative impact on their health compared to those that reported good health. Finally, compared to participants in the UK, those in Italy were 32% (p < 0.001), more likely to report a negative impact, while those in Germany (24%, p = 0.029) and Sweden (41%, p < 0.001) were less likely to report a negative impact. There were no significant differences identified based on participants’ location (rural/urban/mixed).

Research objective 2: The impact of the CoLC in four different countries within Europe

The impact of the CoLC on participant’s reported life

Looking at the perceived impact of the CoLC on participants life in each country (Table 3) our models indicated that age had different impacts across countries. In the UK, Germany, and Italy, participants aged 36–64 were 60% (p < 0.001), 64% (p < 0.001) and 53% (p < 0.0001) more likely to report negative impacts on their life respectively compared to those aged 18–35. In Germany and Italy, those aged 65 + were 55% (p = 0.007) and 185% (p < 0.001) more likely to report negative impacts on their life compared to those aged 18–35, while in Sweden, participants aged 65 + were 44% (p < 0.001) less likely.

In three countries (UK, Germany and Italy) females were 30% (p = 0.018) 32% (p = 0.008) and 60% (p < 0.001) more likely than males to report a negative impact on their life respectively, while those in Sweden were 29% less likely to report a negative impact (p < 0.001) than males.

Overall, the CoLC was perceived by participants to have had a more negative impact on those in the lowest income bracket (quintile 1). In Germany, individuals in income quintile 1 were 71% (p = 0.009) more likely to report a negative impact of the CoLC than those in the higher income bracket of quintile 3. This was also seen in Sweden, with participants in income quintile 1 56% more likely (p = 0.017) to report a negative impact than those in quintile 3. Meanwhile, survey respondents in Germany, Italy and Sweden in income quintile 5 (the highest income bracket) were 43% (p = 0.001), 44% (p = 0.006) and 35% (p = 0.011) less likely respectively to report a negative impact on their life compared to those in quintile 3.

Finally, participants who reported poorer health in the last 12 months were more likely in all countries (UK 91% p < 0.001, Germany 51% p < 0.0001, Italy 82% p < 0.0001, Sweden 105% p < 0.0001) to report negative impacts on their life compared to those with good health.

The impact of the CoLC on participant’s reported health

Looking at the impact of the CoLC on participants’ health within each country (Table 4), participants aged 36–64 were 43% (p = 0.001) and 49% (p < 0.001) more likely to report negative impacts on their life compared to those aged 18–35 in the UK and Italy, respectively. In Italy, those aged 65 + were 77% more likely (p < 0.001) to report a negative impact, while those in UK, Germany and Sweden were 37% (p < 0.001), 25% (p = 0.035) and 67% (p < 0.001) less likely (compared to those aged 18–35).

Females were 42% (p < 0.001) and 23% (p = 0.001) more likely to report negative impacts on their life compared to males in Germany and Italy, while they were 29% less likely (p < 0.001) in Sweden.

Rural residents in the UK were 28% (p = 0.024) less likely than those in urban areas to report negative impacts on their life.

When comparing participants by income, those in quintile 1 in Germany and Sweden were 37% (p = 0.002) and 33% (p = 0.002) more likely to report negative impacts on their health. In Sweden, those in quintile 2 also reported a 56% increase in likelihood. On the other hand, individuals in quintile 5 were less likely to report negative impacts on their life compared to those in quintile 3 (UK: 34%, p = 0.011; Germany: 18%, p = 0.016; Italy: 54%, p < 0.001; Sweden: 44%, p = 0.002). UK participants who did not report their income were also 34% (p = 0.011) less likely to report a negative impact to their health.

Finally, participants from all countries who reported poor health in the previous twelve months were more likely to report a negative effect on their health than those with good health (UK: 3.48 times, p < 0.001; Germany: 2.34 times, p < 0.001; Italy: 3.58 times, p < 0.001; Sweden: 3.52 times, p < 0.001).