Ikea has released findings from its 2026 Cooking & Eating Report, based on responses from over 31,000 people in 31 countries. The survey highlights average dinner times, preferred eating locations, and food preferences worldwide. Key insights reveal variations by country and generation in cooking and dining habits.
The report, drawn from a large-scale global survey, shows that people around the world typically sit down for dinner at 6:44 p.m., spending an average of 27 minutes on the meal. Five percent of respondents finish in 10 minutes or less. Dinner times vary significantly by country, with Spain recording the latest average at 8:54 p.m. and Finland the earliest at 5:17 p.m.
Eating locations have shifted away from traditional dining areas. Forty-four percent eat at the kitchen table, 34 percent at the dining room table, and 25 percent at the living room table. Notably, 18 percent dine on the sofa, while 4 percent eat in bed, with Gen Z twice as likely to do so compared to other generations. Screen habits influence this, as 54 percent of solo dwellers and 40 percent of those living with others eat while watching TV. The survey notes a decline in dedicated dining tables, favoring multifunctional surfaces for eating, homework, and chores.
Preferences lean toward home-cooked meals, with 47 percent favoring them over takeout. This varies by generation: 33 percent of Gen Z, 38 percent of Millennials, and 55 percent of older generations prefer cooking at home. Slovenia and Spain lead at 57 percent preference for home-cooked food. When kitchen mishaps occur, 62 percent opt for takeout.
Food choices emphasize taste, with 64 percent prioritizing delicious flavors, followed by healthy ingredients at 48 percent, ease at 40 percent, and quick, budget-friendly options at 37 percent. Forty-six percent cook from scratch, and 59 percent use fresh ingredients. Habits include 40 percent eating the same breakfast daily, but only 20 percent limiting dinner to 10 or fewer varieties.
Flavor trends show 27 percent preferring spicy foods globally, highest in Norway at 47 percent, Sweden at 45 percent, and Finland at 39 percent. Sweet preferences remain strong at 46 percent. Additionally, 25 percent express interest in trying new foods more often, and picky eating has decreased from 18 percent in childhood to 13 percent currently, with Japan at 21 percent and China at 7 percent pickiest.
