In a survey about factors contributing to cost of living pressures in Australia during the second quarter of 2022, ** percent of respondents identified groceries as the biggest contributor. Additionally, ** percent mentioned transport as a key contributor.

In May 2022, 49 percent of people in the United Kingdom advised that they were highly dissatisfied with the government's response to the cost of living crisis. High inflation has caused an economic crisis in the UK, with 87 percent of people reporting an increase in their cost of living as of March 2022.

In response to the cost of living crisis, the government of the United Kingdom announced a series of measures to help households in the country. The most widespread of these packages was a 400 British pound energy bill grant announced in 2022, which was allocated to all households in the country. The measure with the highest overall value was the cost of living payment, which will saw approximately eight million UK households on low income receive 650 pounds in two separate payments in 2022, and a further 900 pounds paid in three installments throughout the 2023/24 financial year.

Inflation is set to continue outpacing wage growth over the year, creating cost of living pressures for consumers.

Approximately 81 percent of people in the Republic of Ireland thought that the state of the global economy was the main contributing factor to the rising cost of living in the country. By contrast, just 49 percent of people in Ireland believed that workers demanding pay rises was the main reason.

The core inflation rate for the UK was 3.6 percent in August 2025, up from 3.8 percent in the previous month. Core inflation measures inflation without food and energy prices, which can be far more volatile than inflation for other goods and services.

As of September 2025, Mumbai had the highest cost of living among other cities in the country, with an index value of 26.2. Gurgaon, a satellite city of Delhi and part of the National Capital Region (NCR) followed it with an index value of 24.7.  What is cost of living? The cost of living varies depending on geographical regions and factors that affect the cost of living in an area include housing, food, utilities, clothing, childcare, and fuel among others. The cost of living is calculated based on different measures such as the consumer price index (CPI), living cost indexes, and wage price index. CPI refers to the change in the value of consumer goods and services. The wage price index, on the other hand, measures the change in labor services prices due to market pressures. Lastly, the living cost indexes calculate the impact of changing costs on different households. The relationship between wages and costs determines affordability and shifts in the cost of living. Mumbai tops the list Mumbai usually tops the list of most expensive cities in India. As the financial and entertainment hub of the country, Mumbai offers wide opportunities and attracts talent from all over the country. It is the second-largest city in India and has one of the most expensive real estates in the world.

Indicators from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) related to the impact of cost of living on behaviours and health, with breakdowns by different population groups.

In 2022/23, the government of the United Kingdom spent approximately 20 billion British pounds on the energy price guarantee policy, the most out of any other support policy announced to combat the Cost of Living crisis.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a statistical measure that tracks the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services. It serves as a key indicator of inflation, reflecting the cost of living and the purchasing power of a currency. Calculated periodically, the CPI is used by governments, economists, and policymakers to make informed decisions on monetary policy, wage negotiations, and economic forecasting. By comparing the CPI across different periods, one can gauge the health of an economy, understand inflationary pressures, and assess the impact of economic policies on everyday consumer expenses.

The housing costs inflation rate for low-income households in the United Kingdom was noticeably higher than that of high-income ones between April 2022 and April 2023, during a serious cost of living crisis in the UK. As of March 2025, however, the inflation rate for high and medium-income households was slightly higher than that of low incomes ones.

In July 2025, 60 percent of households in Great Britain said that they had started to spend less on non-essentials in response to their cost of living increasing.

Online grocery sales have been ramping up, with the segment now a viable and successful product line for grocery retailers. Improvements to packing logistics, distribution centres, marketing efforts and other operations have supported continued grocery sales growth. Additionally, consumer habits have shifted, with online shopping more prevalent across the whole retail sector and meal kit services remaining popular among those with busy lifestyles. However, physical stores' convenience, lack of delivery fees and perception as better outlets for fresh food have dampened some activity. Online grocery shopping has been both Coles’s and Woolworths' strongest growth channels over the past two years, with Coles seeing a 25.7% jump in sales over the twelve months to March 2025. These trends have since continued to snowball and propelled industry revenue growth to an expected average annual 5.7% over the five years through 2025-26 to $11.8 billion, despite lockdowns five years ago uniquely positioning the benchmark year of 2020-21 as a strong online sales year. Online grocery shopping is highly concentrated between the industry's two largest chains, Woolworths and Coles. Both giants use their extensive existing store networks and distribution centres to service wide areas. Their economies of scale have benefited industry profitability, with average profit margins remaining positive over the past five years. This trend has signified a shift for the industry, with investors now aiming for sustainable operations rather than loss-leading growth strategies. Cost-of-living pressures in recent years have threatened online grocery performance, especially when it comes to traditional meal kit services. Nevertheless, where most industries are passing on costs, relying on price-driven growth, online grocers have also been able to source a growing market, capitalising on demand-driven growth. As busy consumers have found themselves increasingly turning towards online shopping, revenue is expected to jump 4.7% in 2025-26. Easing cost-of-living pressures are slated to have mixed effects on online grocers, including boosting purchase volumes and appetites for meal kits and online delivery. Continued improvements to delivery times and expansions of dark store networks will boost online grocery shopping coverage and interest. The expansion of other grocers, like ALDI, IGA and Amazon, has the potential to intensify competition and keep downwards pressure on prices. Overall, online grocery shopping revenue is forecast to climb at an annualised 2.6% over the five years through 2030-31 to total $13.4 billion.

Explore the impact of inflation in Japan on living costs, with households and businesses facing increasing financial pressures amid rising prices for essentials.

Geneva stands out as Europe's most expensive city for apartment purchases in early 2025, with prices reaching a staggering 15,720 euros per square meter. This Swiss city's real estate market dwarfs even high-cost locations like Zurich and London, highlighting the extreme disparities in housing affordability across the continent. The stark contrast between Geneva and more affordable cities like Nantes, France, where the price was 3,700 euros per square meter, underscores the complex factors influencing urban property markets in Europe. Rental market dynamics and affordability challenges While purchase prices vary widely, rental markets across Europe also show significant differences. London maintained its position as the continent's priciest city for apartment rentals in 2023, with the average monthly costs for a rental apartment amounting to 36.1 euros per square meter. This figure is double the rent in Lisbon, Portugal or Madrid, Spain, and substantially higher than in other major capitals like Paris and Berlin. The disparity in rental costs reflects broader economic trends, housing policies, and the intricate balance of supply and demand in urban centers. Economic factors influencing housing costs The European housing market is influenced by various economic factors, including inflation and energy costs. As of April 2025, the European Union's inflation rate stood at 2.4 percent, with significant variations among member states. Romania experienced the highest inflation at 4.9 percent, while France and Cyprus maintained lower rates. These economic pressures, coupled with rising energy costs, contribute to the overall cost of living and housing affordability across Europe. The volatility in electricity prices, particularly in countries like Italy where rates are projected to reach 153.83 euros per megawatt hour by February 2025, further impacts housing-related expenses for both homeowners and renters.

The Organic Grocery Stores industry has encountered challenging trading conditions in the past few years, leading to a decline in revenue and profit margins. Organic grocers experienced negative demand shocks and sharp revenue contractions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022, with many consumers turning to major supermarkets for their shopping needs rather than organic grocers. Revenue rebounded in 2022-2023 as normal trading conditions resumed. However, mounting cost-of-living pressures have led households to opt for less expensive substitutes, dragging down revenue once again over the two years through 2024-25. Organic grocery stores have also battled rising input costs and operating expenses while facing stiff competition from supermarkets and online retailers. Many consumers now prefer shopping online for its convenience. These factors have not only hampered revenue but have also put substantial downwards pressure on profit, forcing many organic grocery stores to revise their labour strategies. Industry revenue is expected to contract at an annualised rate of 2.9% over the five years through 2024-25, to $276.5 million. This includes a 1.6% drop in the current year, as cost-of-living pressures continue to dampen downstream demand for organic products. The Organic Grocery Stores industry is set to witness an upturn over the coming years. Growing demand for groceries underpins this positive outlook, largely attributable to population growth and an accompanying hike in grocery expenditures. An increase in household discretionary income as cost-of-living pressures subside will also boost demand for organic products. Revenue growth will spark a flurry of new entrants, creating jobs across the Organic Grocery Stores industry. Even so, organic grocers will face heightened competition from both internal and external competitors. Striking a balance between remaining competitive, maintaining profitability and managing costs from upstream suppliers will be critical to success. Mounting public awareness of environmental issues and the health benefits of organic products will provide added leverage for revenue growth. Overall, industry revenue is expected to expand at an annualised rate of 3.8% through the end of 2029-30, to $332.6 million.

The Consumer Price Index of the United Kingdom was 138.5 in the second quarter of 2025, indicating that consumer prices have increased by 38.5 percent when compared with the first quarter of 2015. As of June 2025, the inflation rate for the CPI was 3.6 percent, an uptick from March, when prices were rising by 2.6 percent. A long period of elevated inflation between 2021 and 2023 peaked in October 2022 and saw prices increase by over 20 percent in just three years. Uptick in inflation expected in 2025 In late 2024, the UK's main economic forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility, predicted that the annual inflation rate for 2025 would average out at around 2.6 percent. In March 2025, however, the OBR revised this figure upward, with annual inflation now expected to be 3.2 percent. This uptick in inflation is predicted to peak in the third quarter of the year at 3.7 percent before falling to two percent by the second quarter of 2026. Although this period of higher inflation is predicted to be far less severe than in 2022, it will no doubt put further pressure on households already struggling with their cost of living. Cost of living woes continue The share of UK households reporting that their cost of living was increasing has been steadily rising since Summer 2024. At that time, less than half of UK households reported rising costs, down from 91 percent two years earlier. As of March 2025, however, 59 percent of households said their costs were rising, the highest figure since 2023. Of these households, 93 percent reported that their food shop was increasing, with three quarters of them reporting higher energy costs. With higher inflation predicted in 2025, the pressure on UK households will likely continue, although a crisis on the scale of 2021-2023 will hopefully be avoided.

Unlike many other health services, the majority of the UK population has to pay for dental treatment. Dental insurance policies cover treatment provided by both NHS and private dentists. The propensity to purchase dental insurance is greater when people wish to receive treatment from private dentists, as the costs associated with private treatment are much higher. Dental Insurance revenue is anticipated to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.4% over the five years through 2024-25 to £1.1 billion, including estimated growth of 5% in the current year. Regulatory reforms have ramped up the use of reinsurance as a capital risk reduction tool in the industry. The average profit margin has narrowed as a result of intensifying competition and cost pressures associated with the FCA's fair pricing reforms introduced in January 2022. The cost-of-living crisis and spiralling inflation in the two years through 2023-24 hurt demand for dental insurance, as people reined in spending to afford essential goods. However, hefty waiting times for the NHS following the COVID-19 outbreak resulted in many shifting to private dental care, lifting demand for dental coverage and contributing to revenue growth in recent years. In 2024-25, subsiding cost of living pressures and improving economic growth prospects will support demand from individual customers and make businesses more willing to splash out on employee benefits. Dental Insurance revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.3% over the five years through 2029-30 to reach £1.4 billion. In the coming years, the higher interest rate environment will support investment income, with insurers that typically have high exposure to bonds receiving greater coupon payments, lifting reserves and allowing for more policies to be written. A growing UK workforce and the ageing population will boost demand as dental insurance consumers are more likely to be policyholders through workplace schemes. The average industry profit margin is set to remain constrained due to further competitive pressures and cost increases related to dental service price inflation and increased claims.

Executive Summary The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) helps safeguard the stability of the financial system by providing deposit insurance against the loss of eligible deposits at member institutions in the event of failure, and by ensuring the orderly resolution of troubled member institutions. Canada’s economy is facing continued headwinds due to global and domestic factors, including tighter monetary policy, rising interest rates, geo-political tensions, and low housing affordability. In 2022, this resulted in cost-of-living pressures and a decline in real and financial asset values. For Canadian businesses, the year ahead outlook is cautious. Businesses continue to navigate a tight labour market and worker skill shortages. Borrowing costs are on the rise. Real business investment in Canada continues to lag behind pre-pandemic levels. CDIC’s member institutions are facing a period of economic uncertainty. However, member institutions are in stable financial condition due in part to capital and liquidity buffers and well-regulated funding standards for members. Nonetheless, CDIC will continue to focus on strengthening its readiness to respond to a variety of these circumstances and possible shocks to the financial system. Alongside these conditions, the pace of digitalization and innovation in the financial sector is resulting in new financial products, services, and players, which are fundamentally changing the financial sector landscape. CDIC will work proactively to ensure that the deposit insurance, resolution frameworks, and operations remain fit for purpose. CDIC will also strive to increase awareness of deposit insurance to maintain depositor confidence and reinforce financial sector resilience as the landscape continues to evolve. The digitalization of finance has implications for how Canadian depositors access their money and for the security of their data against cyber threats. To maintain depositor confidence, CDIC is transforming its technological capabilities to increase the speed, security, and convenience of access to insured deposits in the event of a member failure. CDIC is also evolving its workplace to respond to changes in the operating environment. There has been an acceleration of technological and cultural changes for all organizations, with competition for talent at an all-time high. CDIC will continue to implement strategies to attract and retain top talent including through Indigenous partnerships to ensure that its employees are representative of Canada’s diverse population. As CDIC continues to experiment with a hybrid work model, CDIC will continue to adapt its technology, operations, and skills training across the organization to maintain flexibility for staff and capability to fulfill its mandate to serve Canadians. CDIC will continue to embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and initiatives into its operations to foster long-term sustainability and resiliency. CDIC will focus on three strategic objectives for the 2023/2024 to 2027/2028 planning period, anchored to the Corporation’s mandate as deposit insurer and resolution authority: 1 — Be resolution ready Being resolution ready involves having the necessary processes, tools, systems, and financial capacity, as well as the right people to allow CDIC to resolve a member institution if necessary. This is important because CDIC’s role within Canada’s financial safety net intensifies during times of economic hardship or uncertainty and being resolution ready is a key element in promoting financial stability. 2 — Reinforce trust in depositor protection Depositor confidence in the safety of their deposits is essential to CDIC’s mission to serve Canadians, and for the stability of the financial sector. CDIC will reinforce trust in depositor protection by anticipating and responding to innovation in the financial sector to ensure that the deposit insurance and resolution frameworks, as well as CDIC’s operations, remain fit for purpose to maintain depositor confidence. 3 — Strengthen organizational resilience Strengthening organizational resilience involves addressing internal and external factors that can impact CDIC’s technologies, people, and culture. CDIC will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its systems, technology, operations, and skills training to ensure that the Corporation can continue to fulfill its mandate while being prepared for the workplace of tomorrow. In fiscal 2023/2024, CDIC’s operating budget will be $89.1 million, and its capital budget will be $3.8 million. CDIC maintains ex ante funding to cover possible deposit insurance losses. The amount of such funding is represented by the aggregate of CDIC’s retained earnings and the provision for insurance losses. CDIC’s ex ante fund totalled $7.9 billion (73 basis points of insured deposits) as at December 31, 2022. The Corporate Plan anticipates and responds to the evolving operating environment and risks facing CDIC and supports the Corporation’s achievement of its mandate while striving to maintain Canadians’ confidence that their eligible deposits are protected.

In August 2025, rising costs in the household services sector contributed the most to the inflation rate in the United Kingdom. That month, CPIH inflation rate stood at 4.1 percent.