For 29% of the Portuguese, the increasing price of gifts and meals out is having a negative impact on their romantic life. The conclusion is from the European Consumer Payment Report 2022 study, by Intrum, released on the occasion of today, February 14, Valentine's Day.
This consequence is affecting the sentimental lives of the younger generations, since they are the ones who most express their discontent – generation Z (18-21 years old) registers a percentage of 49% and the Millennial generation (22-37 years old) has the second highest percentage, reaching 37%. The average in Southern Europe is 31%, which is higher than that recorded in Portugal.
The study also shows that 45% of the Portuguese respondents show increased concern when faced with the possibility of their partner/spouse losing their job. Even so, this percentage is lower than in Spain (48%), Greece (66%) and Italy (47%). The average for Southern Europe is 51%.
Through the ECPR it is also possible to verify that couples with children (56%) and with high incomes (49%) are the ones who show this concern the most. It should also be noted that generation Z (18-21 years old) is again the one who expresses the greatest apprehension regarding the issue (54%).
According to Intrum, the financial situation can have a decisive influence on the way in which personal relationships are conducted, namely when there are financial difficulties. An example of this is that 16% of respondents stated that buying gifts for their partner/spouse is the most common reason for getting into credit card debt.
This is a reality with greater expression in men (20%) than in women (12%). In Spain, the percentage is higher reaching 25% and the same is true in Greece, with 26%.
Portuguese couples are not going through the best financial phase, but they still don't stop worrying about the relationship. In the ECPR2022 study, 19% of respondents stated that the buy now/pay later solution is increasingly being used to cover the costs of the social and romantic life of Portuguese couples.
Countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece register a substantially higher percentage than Portugal with 26%, 28% and 26% respectively. It is also the younger generations who most identify with this option, namely generation Z (18-21 years old) which registers a percentage of 27%.
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