While it's often joked that shopping is a female sport, a closer look at global spending data reveals a fascinating financial divide where men splurge on tech and travel while women consistently invest more in fashion, food, and self-care.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, US women spent an average of $1,512 annually on apparel and services compared to $1,232 for men
- UK women aged 25-34 spent 24% more on fashion items than men in 2023
- Globally, female consumers allocate 7.5% of income to clothing vs 5.2% for males (2021 data)
- US men spent $1,856 on electronics in 2022 vs $1,234 for women
- Globally, men account for 65% of smartphone spending ($450 avg vs $320 for women, 2023)
- UK males aged 18-34 spent 42% more on gaming consoles (£250 vs £176, 2023)
- Women in the US spent $3,512 on food at home in 2022 vs $3,289 for men
- Globally, women spend 10% more on organic groceries ($1,200 vs $1,090 annually, 2023)
- UK females aged 35-44 spent 18% more on dining out (£850 vs £721, 2023)
- Globally, men spend 28% more on airline tickets ($650 vs $507 avg, 2023)
- UK males aged 25-44 spent 35% more on hotels (£1,200 vs £890, 2023)
- In the US, men allocate 62% of travel budget to business trips (2022)
- Women in the US spent $1,023 on personal care in 2022 vs $678 for men
- Globally, females spend 4x more on skincare ($250 vs $62 annually, 2023)
- UK women aged 18-24 spent 50% more on cosmetics (£320 vs £213, 2023)
Women generally spend more on clothing and personal care, while men lead in electronics and travel.
Clothing & Fashion
1In 2022, US women spent an average of $1,512 annually on apparel and services compared to $1,232 for men
Verified2UK women aged 25-34 spent 24% more on fashion items than men in 2023
Verified3Globally, female consumers allocate 7.5% of income to clothing vs 5.2% for males (2021 data)
Verified4In India, women spend 35% more on ethnic wear than men on formal attire (2023)
Directional5Australian men outspent women by 15% on footwear in 2022 ($450 vs $392)
Single source6French women spent €620 on clothing per year vs €480 for men (2021 INSEE)
Verified7In the US, millennial women spend 28% more on luxury fashion than men (2023)
Verified8Canadian females aged 18-24 spent CAD 1,200 on apparel vs CAD 850 for males (2022)
Verified9German women allocate 9% of discretionary spend to fashion vs 6% for men (2023)
Directional10Brazilian women spent R$1,800 on clothing annually vs R$1,200 for men (2022 IBGE)
Single source11In 2023, US men spent $2,150 on apparel/services vs $1,980 for women in Gen Z cohort
Verified12Italian females outspent males by 22% on accessories (€350 vs €287, 2022)
Verified13South Korean women spent 40% more on cosmetics-integrated fashion (2023)
Verified14Spanish men spent €520 on sportswear vs €410 for women (2022 INE)
Directional15Chinese urban women spent ¥3,500 on clothing vs ¥2,400 for men (2023 NBS)
Single source16In 2022, women in the US spent 18% more on jewelry ($450 vs $382 for men)
Verified17Mexican women allocated 12% of budget to fashion vs 8% for men (ENIGH 2022)
Verified18Swedish females spent SEK 5,200 annually on apparel vs SEK 4,100 for males (2023 SCB)
Verified19Japanese men outspent women on workwear by 14% (¥45,000 vs ¥39,500, 2022)
Directional20Nigerian women spent NGN 150,000 on fabrics vs NGN 90,000 for men's attire (2023 NBS)
Single source21In 2023, US boomer women spent $1,800 on clothing vs $1,400 for men
Verified22Dutch women spent €680 on fashion vs €550 for men (2022 CBS)
Verified23Argentine females outspent males 25% on seasonal clothing (2023 INDEC)
Verified24Turkish women spent TRY 4,500 on apparel vs TRY 3,200 for men (2023 TURKSTAT)
Directional25Russian women allocated 11% to clothing spend vs 7% for men (2022 Rosstat)
Single source26In the Philippines, women spent PHP 12,000 on dresses vs PHP 8,500 for men's suits (2023 PSA)
Verified27Belgian men spent €490 on casual wear vs €420 for women (2022 Statbel)
Verified28US Hispanic women spent 20% more on bridal wear than men on tuxedos (2023 Nielsen)
Verified29Norwegian females spent NOK 7,800 on outerwear vs NOK 6,200 for males (2023 SSB)
Directional30In 2022, women worldwide spent 2.1x more on handbags than men on wallets ($120 vs $57 avg)
Single sourceClothing & Fashion Interpretation
While the global financial runway is dominated by women's fashion expenditures, men are quietly investing in key style staples and occasionally, as seen with Australian footwear or Gen Z apparel, striding ahead in specific spending sprints.
Electronics & Tech
1US men spent $1,856 on electronics in 2022 vs $1,234 for women
Verified2Globally, men account for 65% of smartphone spending ($450 avg vs $320 for women, 2023)
Verified3UK males aged 18-34 spent 42% more on gaming consoles (£250 vs £176, 2023)
Verified4In the US, men spend 3x more on computer hardware ($800 vs $267 annually, 2022)
Directional5Indian men outspent women by 28% on laptops (₹65,000 vs ₹51,000 avg purchase, 2023)
Single source6Australian women spent AUD 450 on wearables vs AUD 620 for men (2022)
Verified7French men allocated 15% of tech budget to audio equipment vs 8% women (2023 GfK)
Verified8Canadian males spent CAD 1,100 on TVs vs CAD 780 for females (2022 StatCan)
Verified9German men spent €750 on PCs/gaming vs €520 for women (2023 Bitkom)
Directional10Brazilian males outspent females 35% on drones (R$2,500 vs R$1,850, 2023)
Single source11In 2023, US Gen Z men spent $950 on gadgets vs $720 for women
Verified12Italian men spent €600 on smart home devices vs €410 women (2022 ISTAT)
Verified13South Korean males allocated 22% more to VR/AR tech (2023 KISDI)
Verified14Spanish women spent €380 on tablets vs €520 for men (2022 INE)
Directional15Chinese men spent ¥5,200 on mobile accessories vs ¥3,800 women (2023 CNNIC)
Single source16In 2022, US men spent 55% more on cameras ($450 vs $290 for women)
Verified17Mexican males outspent females on e-readers by 18% (2023 INEGI)
Verified18Swedish men spent SEK 4,500 on headphones vs SEK 3,200 women (2023 SCB)
Verified19Japanese males spent ¥80,000 on gaming PCs vs ¥55,000 women (2022 MIC)
Directional20Nigerian men allocated 30% more to power banks/solar gadgets (2023 NBS)
Single source21In 2023, US millennial men spent $1,400 on tech vs $1,050 women
Verified22Dutch men spent €720 on drones vs €480 women (2022 CBS)
Verified23Argentine males outspent on routers/modems 25% (2023 INDEC)
Verified24Turkish men spent TRY 3,800 on smartwatches vs TRY 2,900 women (2023 TURKSTAT)
Directional25Russian males spent RUB 45,000 on laptops vs RUB 32,000 women (2022 Rosstat)
Single source26Philippines men spent PHP 25,000 on consoles vs PHP 18,000 women (2023 PSA)
Verified27Belgian men spent €550 on external drives vs €370 women (2022 Statbel)
Verified28US Black men spent 40% more on streaming devices ($180 vs $129, 2023 Nielsen)
Verified29Norwegian men spent NOK 6,500 on monitors vs NOK 4,800 women (2023 SSB)
DirectionalElectronics & Tech Interpretation
It appears that across the globe, when it comes to technology, men are consistently writing bigger checks for gadgets and gear, suggesting either a deeper passion for the latest tech or a greater susceptibility to the siren song of a shiny new processor.
Food & Dining
1Women in the US spent $3,512 on food at home in 2022 vs $3,289 for men
Verified2Globally, women spend 10% more on organic groceries ($1,200 vs $1,090 annually, 2023)
Verified3UK females aged 35-44 spent 18% more on dining out (£850 vs £721, 2023)
Verified4In the US, women allocate 52% of grocery budget to fresh produce vs 48% men (2022)
Directional5Indian women spent 25% more on packaged snacks (₹4,500 vs ₹3,600 yr, 2023)
Single source6Australian men outspent women on alcohol at home by 30% (AUD 650 vs AUD 500, 2022)
Verified7French women spent €2,100 on groceries vs €1,950 men (2021 INSEE)
Verified8Canadian females spent CAD 4,200 on eating out vs CAD 3,800 males (2022)
Verified9German women allocated 14% more to dairy products (€450 vs €395, 2023)
Directional10Brazilian women spent R$5,800 on food delivery vs R$4,200 men (2023)
Single source11In 2023, US Gen X women spent $4,500 on dining vs $4,100 men
Verified12Italian females outspent males 22% on bakery items (€620 vs €508, 2022)
Verified13South Korean women spent 35% more on imported fruits (2023 KOSTAT)
Verified14Spanish men spent €1,200 on meat vs €1,050 women (2022 INE)
Directional15Chinese women spent ¥8,500 on meal kits vs ¥6,900 men (2023 NBS)
Single source16In 2022, US women spent $1,234 on alcohol away from home vs $1,456 men
Verified17Mexican women allocated 16% more to beverages (€320 vs €276, 2023)
Verified18Swedish females spent SEK 28,000 on groceries vs SEK 26,500 males (2023)
Verified19Japanese women spent ¥120,000 on convenience store food vs ¥105,000 men (2022)
Directional20Nigerian women spent NGN 450,000 on staples vs NGN 380,000 men (2023)
Single source21In 2023, US Asian women spent $3,900 on food vs $3,600 men
Verified22Dutch women spent €2,800 on dining out vs €2,400 men (2022)
Verified23Argentine females outspent 19% on coffee/tea (2023 INDEC)
Verified24Turkish women spent TRY 12,500 on groceries vs TRY 11,000 men (2023)
Directional25Russian women allocated 13% more to sweets (€250 vs €222, 2022)
Single source26Philippines women spent PHP 45,000 on rice/fish vs PHP 40,000 men (2023)
Verified27Belgian women spent €3,200 on food at home vs €2,950 men (2022)
Verified28US women over 65 spent 12% more on healthy snacks ($680 vs $607, 2023)
Verified29Norwegian females spent NOK 42,000 on dining vs NOK 38,500 males (2023)
Directional30In 2022, US women spent $4,567 on food/dining total vs $4,312 men (adjusted)
Single sourceFood & Dining Interpretation
It appears the culinary matriarchy is firmly in charge of the global grocery cart, generously funding the fresh produce, bakery, and organic aisles, while graciously allowing men to occasionally treat themselves to a consolation beer and steak.
Health & Personal Care
1Women in the US spent $1,023 on personal care in 2022 vs $678 for men
Verified2Globally, females spend 4x more on skincare ($250 vs $62 annually, 2023)
Verified3UK women aged 18-24 spent 50% more on cosmetics (£320 vs £213, 2023)
Verified4In the US, women allocate 78% of hair care spending ($180 vs $41, 2022)
Directional5Indian females outspent men by 60% on beauty products (₹2,800 vs ₹1,750 yr, 2023)
Single source6Australian men spent AUD 420 on grooming vs AUD 580 women (2022)
Verified7French women spent €450 on salon visits vs €220 men (2023)
Verified8Canadian females spent CAD 650 on vitamins/supplements vs CAD 510 males (2022)
Verified9German women allocated 25% more to spa treatments (€380 vs €304, 2023)
Directional10Brazilian women spent R$1,200 on hair coloring vs R$650 men (2023)
Single source11In 2023, US Gen Z women spent $450 on beauty vs $280 men
Verified12Italian females outspent males 40% on perfumes (€250 vs €178, 2022)
Verified13South Korean women spent 70% more on K-beauty masks (2023)
Verified14Spanish men spent €280 on fitness trackers vs €360 women (2022)
Directional15Chinese women spent ¥1,800 on facial treatments vs ¥950 men (2023)
Single source16In 2022, US men spent $856 on health insurance premiums vs $789 women (household avg)
Verified17Mexican women allocated 22% more to dental care (2023)
Verified18Swedish females spent SEK 3,200 on wellness apps vs SEK 2,700 males (2023)
Verified19Japanese women spent ¥45,000 on OTC meds vs ¥38,000 men (2022)
Directional20Nigerian women spent NGN 250,000 on herbal remedies vs NGN 180,000 men (2023)
Single source21In 2023, US women over 50 spent $1,200 on anti-aging vs $450 men
Verified22Dutch women spent €520 on manicures vs €250 men (2022 CBS)
Verified23Argentine females outspent 30% on yoga classes (2023 INDEC)
Verified24Turkish women spent TRY 2,800 on haircare vs TRY 1,900 men (2023)
Directional25Russian women allocated 28% more to massages (RUB 15,000 vs RUB 11,700, 2022)
Single source26Philippines women spent PHP 8,500 on whitening products vs PHP 4,200 men (2023)
Verified27Belgian females spent €680 on gym memberships vs €590 men (2022)
Verified28US men spent 20% more on sports nutrition ($320 vs $267, 2023)
Verified29Norwegian women spent NOK 4,500 on saunas vs NOK 3,800 males (2023 SSB)
DirectionalHealth & Personal Care Interpretation
While men invest modestly in their own maintenance, women are consistently funding a global, multi-category industry dedicated to managing the physical expectations placed upon them, proving that the so-called "vanity tax" is very real and largely gendered.
Travel & Leisure
1Globally, men spend 28% more on airline tickets ($650 vs $507 avg, 2023)
Verified2UK males aged 25-44 spent 35% more on hotels (£1,200 vs £890, 2023)
Verified3In the US, men allocate 62% of travel budget to business trips (2022)
Verified4Indian men outspent women by 40% on international flights (₹75,000 vs ₹53,500, 2023)
Directional5Australian women spent AUD 1,450 on domestic travel vs AUD 1,780 men (2022)
Single source6French men spent €1,650 on car rentals vs €1,120 women (2023)
Verified7Canadian males spent CAD 2,300 on vacations vs CAD 1,950 females (2022)
Verified8German women allocated 18% more to theme parks (€250 vs €212, 2023)
Verified9Brazilian men outspent 32% on adventure sports travel (R$3,200 vs R$2,420, 2023)
Directional10In 2023, US millennial men spent $2,800 on leisure travel vs $2,400 women
Single source11Italian males spent €1,400 on cruises vs €1,050 women (2022)
Verified12South Korean men spent 45% more on golf resorts (2023)
Verified13Spanish women spent €950 on beach vacations vs €1,200 men (2022 INE)
Verified14Chinese men allocated ¥12,000 to high-speed rail vs ¥9,500 women (2023)
Directional15In 2022, US men spent $1,234 on public transport vs $1,089 women
Single source16Mexican males outspent 24% on road trips (2023 INEGI)
Verified17Swedish men spent SEK 15,000 on skiing trips vs SEK 12,500 women (2023)
Verified18Japanese women spent ¥200,000 on ryokan stays vs ¥160,000 men (2022)
Verified19Nigerian men spent NGN 1.2M on pilgrimages vs NGN 900k women (2023)
Directional20In 2023, US boomer men spent $3,500 on travel vs $3,100 women
Single source21Dutch males spent €1,800 on bike tours vs €1,400 women (2022)
Verified22Argentine men outspent 27% on wine tours (2023 INDEC)
Verified23Turkish women spent TRY 18,000 on seaside resorts vs TRY 15,500 men (2023)
Verified24Russian males spent RUB 120,000 on Black Sea trips vs RUB 95,000 women (2022)
Directional25Philippines men spent PHP 50,000 on island hopping vs PHP 42,000 women (2023)
Single source26Belgian men spent €2,100 on city breaks vs €1,850 women (2022)
Verified27US Latinas spent 15% more on family vacations ($2,200 vs $1,910, 2023 Nielsen)
Verified28Norwegian women spent NOK 22,000 on fjord cruises vs NOK 19,500 males (2023)
VerifiedTravel & Leisure Interpretation
Globally, the story of travel spending is less a battle of the sexes and more a reflection of divergent priorities, with men consistently investing more in transport and business efficiency while women often allocate funds towards curated experiences and family-centric leisure.
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