How long is the average lunch?
The average British worker's lunch break is 27 minutes, the same as it was two years ago. In Ireland, the lunch break is slightly longer at 33 minutes.
More than half of British workers take a lunch break every day (57%) and 20% don't take one at all. In Ireland, 85% of workers take a lunch break every day.
The length of the average working lunch
|
No lunch |
Under 10 mins |
10-20 mins |
20-30 mins |
30-40 mins |
40-50 mins |
50-60 mins |
Between 1-2 hours |
Don't know |
| London |
19% |
- |
11% |
22% |
14% |
8% |
23% |
2% |
2% |
| The East |
14% |
2% |
20% |
27% |
11% |
6% |
17% |
1% |
2% |
| The South and the South-east |
23% |
1% |
8% |
29% |
10% |
4% |
17% |
3% |
4% |
| Wales, the West and the South-west |
18% |
- |
5% |
41% |
17% |
1% |
14% |
2% |
1% |
| The Midlands |
17% |
4% |
13% |
35% |
6% |
4% |
18% |
2% |
1% |
| The North-west |
20% |
1% |
6% |
34% |
15% |
4% |
19% |
- |
1% |
| The North-east |
18% |
2% |
8% |
39% |
18% |
4% |
9% |
2% |
- |
| Yorkshire |
24% |
2% |
16% |
23% |
9% |
6% |
15% |
3% |
2% |
| Scotland |
16% |
2% |
7% |
38% |
19% |
2% |
16% |
- |
- |
| Northern Ireland |
6% |
4% |
12% |
34% |
13% |
11% |
17% |
2% |
1% |
| Republic of Ireland |
3% |
2% |
9% |
30% |
20% |
8% |
25% |
1% |
1% |
Source: The Eurest Lunchtime Report 2004
Where do workers go for lunch?
Roughly one person in five in the UK (18%) buys their lunch from a staff restaurant. This option is most popular with 25- to 34-year-olds – nearly a quarter of them (24%) go to a staff restaurant, compared with only 10% of people over 55.
More than one person in three (38%) brings a packed lunch. This is favoured by the over 55s (45%) and married people (41%).
Likewise in Ireland, one person in five (21%) visits the staff restaurant. In the Republic of Ireland buying from a local sandwich shop is a popular option (22%).
Half of Northern Irish men prefer a packed lunch (52%), compared with 40% of women. More than two-thirds (68%) of workers over the age of 55 choose a packed lunch. In the Republic of Ireland, only one person in four (26%) brings a packed lunch.
Places where workers buy lunch
|
Staff restaurant |
Sandwich shop |
Supermarket |
Pub, wine bar or restaurant |
Fast-food takeaway |
Packed lunch |
| London |
21% |
12% |
7% |
3% |
2% |
32% |
| The East |
19% |
8% |
4% |
2% |
1% |
45% |
| The South and the South-east |
19% |
7% |
5% |
3% |
- |
36% |
| Wales, the West and the South-west |
15% |
9% |
7% |
- |
2% |
47% |
| The Midlands |
15% |
16% |
4% |
1% |
1% |
50% |
| The North-west |
14% |
21% |
5% |
2% |
1% |
36% |
| The North-east |
17% |
12% |
12% |
- |
2% |
42% |
| Yorkshire |
12% |
15% |
6% |
1% |
- |
45% |
| Scotland |
30% |
14% |
2% |
- |
3% |
35% |
| Northern Ireland |
24% |
14% |
2% |
1% |
4% |
47% |
| Republic of Ireland |
19% |
22% |
9% |
6% |
2% |
26% |
Source: The Eurest Lunchtime Report 2004
How much is spent?
The average UK worker spends £2.02 on lunch, up slightly from £1.95 two years ago. Women are more economical, with nearly a third spending less than £1.
The Irish spend more on their lunch, averaging €4 (£2.60) in the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland the average is £2.21.
Daily average spend on lunch
|
Less than £1 |
£1-£1.99 |
£2-£2.99 |
£3-£3.99 |
£4-£4.99 |
£5-£5.99 |
£6 or more |
Don't know |
Average spend |
| London |
19% |
13% |
16% |
11% |
8% |
4% |
3% |
25% |
£2.49 |
| The East |
27% |
27% |
20% |
9% |
3% |
- |
- |
15% |
£1.72 |
| The South and the South-east |
25% |
13% |
16% |
11% |
3% |
2% |
1% |
30% |
£1.96 |
| Wales, the West and South-west |
17% |
30% |
24% |
2% |
2% |
- |
4% |
22% |
£1.88 |
| The Midlands |
22% |
28% |
24% |
6% |
3% |
3% |
- |
15% |
£1.92 |
| The North-west |
23% |
29% |
22% |
6% |
2% |
1% |
1% |
16% |
£1.83 |
| The North-east |
18% |
39% |
16% |
9% |
2% |
1% |
- |
15% |
£1.81 |
| Yorkshire |
24% |
31% |
18% |
5% |
4% |
3% |
- |
15% |
£1.83 |
| Scotland |
21% |
29% |
21% |
4% |
11% |
2% |
- |
11% |
£2.06 |
| Northern Ireland |
14% |
30% |
26% |
13% |
5% |
3% |
- |
9% |
£2.21 |
|
Less than €1 |
€1-€1.99 |
€2-2.99 |
€3-€3.99 |
€4-€4.99 |
€5-€.99 |
€6 or more |
Don't know |
Average spend |
| Republic of Ireland |
9% |
7% |
11% |
16% |
12% |
16% |
16% |
14% |
€4 (£2.60) |
Note: The Sterling to Euro conversion rate used was £1 = €1.54
Source: The Eurest Lunchtime Report 2004
What do workers eat?
In the UK (excluding Northern Ireland one person in two prefers a sandwich for lunch (54% of men and 50% of women). But this figure has dropped from 65% two years ago. Healthy options are more popular with women and older people.
Top 10 food choices at lunchtime (UK, excluding Northern Ireland)
|
2004 |
2002 |
| Sandwiches/bread products |
52% |
65% |
| Fruit |
41% |
35% |
| Salad |
33% |
30% |
| Yoghurt |
25% |
23% |
| Jacket potato |
20% |
22% |
| Soup |
18% |
14% |
| Pastry snack (pies/pasties) |
12% |
14% |
| Fish and chips |
11% |
12% |
| Bacon and eggs (all-day breakfast) |
9% |
10% |
| Burgers |
9% |
8% |
Source: The Eurest Lunchtime Report 2004