Salarymen's allowances have fallen to their lowest level in 33 years even as the cost of lunch has surged, showing the pinch felt by workers that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is counting on to drive a recovery in the economy.

Monthly spending money, often set by wives who control family budgets, dropped to ¥37,642, down 4.9 percent from last year, according to a survey conducted April 15 to 17 by Shinsei Bank Ltd., a Tokyo-based lender whose data go back to 1979.

Salarymen spent ¥601 for lunch on average, up from ¥541, reflecting higher costs of food and the consumption tax hike, the bank said.