Household consumption down

Household spending on goods and services was 1.1 percent lower in February 2010 than in February 2009. In January, household spending was 0.7 percent down on one year previously. Households have been cautious about spending for more than a year now, but the decline in January and February was far less substantial than in the preceding months. Consumption figures are adjusted for price changes and differences in the shopping-day pattern.

Household spending on services was 0.6 percent lower than in February 2009. Household spending on goods was down by 1.7 percent. Spending on services declined somewhat in February, whereas spending on goods increased marginally.

Spending on durable consumer goods was down by more than 3 percent relative to February 2009. The total amount spent on footwear, home furnishing and household appliances dropped considerably, but households spent more on new cars.

Due to the cold weather conditions, natural gas consumption was significantly higher compared to February 2009. Consumption of motor fuels declined noticeably. Consumption of food, beverages and tobacco was down by more than 1 percent.

Domestic household consumption (volume)