Consumption marginally higher

Household spending on goods and services was 0.5 percent higher in April 2011 than in April 2010. Spending on services increased by 0.9 percent, whereas spending on goods remained at the same level as twelve months previously. Consumption figures are adjusted for price changes and differences in the shopping-day pattern.

Consumer spending on food, drinks and tobacco increased by 2.8 percent. Spending on durable consumer goods increased by 2.7 percent. Consumers spent notably more on clothes and shoes. New cars were also in demand, but spending on furniture and household appliances declined. Dutch households also spent less on fuels and energy relative to April 2010.

Consumption growth over the first months of 2011 has been quite modest. The Household Consumption Radar shows the conditions for consumption growth. After a gradual improvement in 2010, conditions barely changed over the first six months of 2011.

Domestic household consumption (volume, adjusted for shopping-days)

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.