Consumer spending in decline

Household spending on goods and services in November 2011 was 1.2 percent down on November 2010. The decline is less substantial than in October (1.7 percent). Consumption figures are adjusted for price changes and differences in the shopping-day pattern.

Spending on goods in November 2011 was 3.0 percent below the level of November 2010. Consumers spent less on cars. Furthermore, due to the mild weather conditions, the consumption of natural gas dropped considerably. Spending on home furnishing articles and household appliances was also considerably lower.

Spending on food, drinks and tobacco was 0.8 percent down, but spending on services improved 0.5 percent relative to the same month last year.

The Household Consumption Radar shows the conditions for household consumption. These conditions did not deteriorate further in January.

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

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.