Hey big spender!

(JB) It's a common preconception that women spend too much money shopping. But, it is in fact men who are the biggest spenders of the two sexes, a report has found.

Regards 22, a study by STATEC exploring the living conditions of men living in Luxembourg, found that single men spend on average 3,347 euros per month, compared with women, who spent just 3,253 euros.

Men reportedly spend 1.5 times more than women on transport and 1.7 times more on buying and using a vehicle. They also tend to spend more when dining out in restaurants, with a monthly budget of 346 euros, compared to women, who spend 215 euros.

When it comes to buying clothing, shoes and food products, women dominate the study, however.

STATEC concludes that the different budgets are explained by a wage gap, pointing out that 68% of men earn more than 2,500 euros per month, compared with just 52% of women.

The study was published to coincide with International Men's Day on November 19. Other findings included the fact that the gap between men and women's life expectancies is closing as men live longer. In 2009 men could expect to live until the age of 83.3 whereas the life expectancy was 74.6 in 2000. Women's life expentancy grew from 80.3 years in 2000 to 83.3 years in 2009. At the current rate, life expectancy for men in Luxembourg is among the eighth highest in Europe.