Consumption grows by 2.1 percent

Dutch households spent 2.1 percent more on goods and services in April than a year ago. Consumption figures have been adjusted for price changes and for differences in the shopping day pattern.

Households spent about 30 percent more on energy. They used a lot more for heating. Almost half of the consumption growth is due to increased gas consumption. On the other hand consumption of food, drinks and tobacco decreased by 1.3 percent.

In addition households spent 1.8 percent less on durable goods. The decrease is mainly because people spent less on clothes and shoes. Consumers did still spend a lot more on home appliances (televisions, refrigerators, etc.). It is the second month in a row that the spending on durables is lower than the year before. The purchase of durables is very sensitive to fluctuations in the economy.

Households spent 2.7 percent more on services. This increase is mainly caused by the introduction of a policy excess in health care insurance at the beginning of 2008. As a result, consumers started to pay more for medical service.

Domestic household consumption (volume)