Income Effects on Self-Reported Household Food Waste in Hungary
Abstract
Aim
Municipal waste is a direct consequence of human activity. Consumer decisions, daily habits, and household waste management determine the number of resources used and waste generated. The study aims to examine whether there is a relationship between the socio-economic context, particularly income, and the amount of food waste.
Material and methods
To determine whether there is a relationship between social and economic contexts and the amount of food wasted in Hungary, questionnaire survey was conducted on people’s (consumers, households) attitudes towards food waste, Spearman’s correlation analysis and k-means cluster analysis on food waste and the income of consumers and households based on the survey data.
Results
As a result of the questionnaire survey, a positive correlation was assumed between food waste and the income of consumers and households, i.e. consumers and households with higher incomes produce more food waste and waste more food. The hypothesis was partially confirmed – the result of the correlation analysis showed a positive, weak correlation.
Conclusions
Based on the processed data, consumers/households can be classified into clusters, which can enable the differentiated identification of food waste behavior patterns. The segments thus formed can serve as a basis for determining at which social, economic or behavioral levels targeted interventions and action plans are justified in order to reduce food waste at the national level.
© 2026 Lívia Benita Kiss, Angéla Szanati, published by The Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics – National Research Institute
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