VietNamNet Bridge – This is the outcome of a survey by MasterCard with over 10,000 consumers from 14 countries, which was announced on November 24.
Nearly 50 percent of the participants said they spend around 10 percent of their monthly income in amusement during free time. Vietnam ranks first with over 51 percent, followed by Hong Kong with 48 percent and China with 43 percent.

Up to 80 percent of consumers in Asia – Pacific planed to give priority to food and entertainment in the next six months, regardless of instability of the global economy.

In the first half of 2011, despite global inflation, many families still preferred to go to restaurants than cooking at home. 71 percent of them chose fast food restaurants, 68 percent at medium-class restaurants and coffee shops and 66 percent to popular restaurants.

Japanese spent up to $213 for eating at restaurants a month, Singaporean with $212 and Hong Kong with $195 while Indian and Indonesia spent less than $40 for this.

The survey shows that monthly average income of people in developing countries is quite low.

Nagesh Devata, Vice Chair in charge of market development in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa of MasterCard Global, said that despite economic instability, consumers still spend their time and money for their favorite activities, for example going out for dinner, going to fitness centers or cinemas.

PV