Consumption up in November

Household spending on goods and services continues to grow. Domestic household consumption was 2.0 percent higher in November 2006 than in November 2005. Spending on goods rose by 2.4 percent and spending on services by 1.7 percent, relative to November 2005.

The sharp increase in spending on durable consumer goods since mid-2005  continued. In November, spending on these goods was 6.2 percent higher than in the same month of 2005. In the first eleven months of 2006, households spent nearly 7 percent more on consumer durables than in the same period of 2005. They bought more clothes, furniture and consumer electronics.

Consumer spending on food, drinks and tobacco increased 1.1 percent compared to November 2005. The growth rate was slower than in the preceding months. The increase in consumer spending on goods was curbed by a significantly lower energy consumption on account of November’s mild weather conditions.

The high consumption growth in 2006 is unprecedented since 2000. The growth rate in 2006 is also high from an international point of view. More information on this subject can be found in the focus article: “Dutch consumption growth above European average”, published on 18 December.

The figures are corrected for price changes and differences in shopping day patterns. The effects on consumption of the new Dutch health care system – introduced in January 2006 - have been taken into account.

Domestic household consumption (volume)