[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [BUSINESS]

2 clusters · 16 sources · 2 days · First seen · Last updated

Venezuela economic cost of living and consumer trends

Overview

Economic reports from Venezuela indicate a high cost of living driven by rising food prices and limited purchasing power. In August 2026, the monthly food basket for a family of five reached $755.36, a 3.77% increase in dollar terms from the previous month. The Center for Documentation and Social Analysis of the Venezuelan Teachers' Federation (Cendas-FVM) noted that the national minimum wage, frozen since March 2022, covers only 0.02% of this required monthly cost.

As a result of these economic pressures, consumer behavior has shifted significantly. According to Ítalo Atencio, president of the National Association of Supermarkets and Self-Service (ANSA), Venezuelans now allocate at least 60% of their income to food. Shoppers have moved toward more frequent, smaller grocery trips, occurring between two and four times per week.

Research by Datanálisis suggests a psychological impact on spending, noting that 63% of Venezuelans experience guilt when purchasing non-essential products for themselves. Economist Luis Vicente León stated that non-mandatory spending accounts for less than 5% of the average family budget, leaving very little margin for personal or discretionary expenses.

Entities

Federación Venezolana de Maestros · Datanálisis · Luis Vicente León · Ítalo Atencio · Asociación Nacional de Supermercados y Autoservicios

Timeline

  1. 4 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Venezuelan consumers prioritize food with 60% of income

    Venezuelans allocate at least 60% of income to food, while 63% report feeling guilt when making non-essential personal purchases due to tight economic margins.

  2. 5 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 15 sources
    Venezuela food basket cost reaches $755 for family of five

    In August 2026, the food basket for a family of five in Venezuela rose to $755.36, while the minimum wage remains frozen at 130 bolívares, covering only 0.02% of the cost.

Sources

caraotadigital.net · comunicacioncontinua.com · contrapunto.com · diarioultimahoradigital.com.ve · eldiario.com · elinformadorve.com · elperiodicodemonagas.com.ve · espiganoticias.net · hch.tv · nodal.am · primeraedicioncol.com · primicia.com.ve · rdnvenezuela.com · talcualdigital.com · xqesnoticia.com · yaracuyaldia.com