The consumption expenditure of households increased last year

Photo: SCANPIX

According to Statistics Estonia, in 2012, a household member spent on average 289 euros per month, which was 17 euros more than a year earlier.

The compulsory expenditure or expenditure on food and dwelling accounted for 45% of the budget, remaining on the same level as in 2011. In 2012, a household member spent on food and non-alcoholic beverages 79 euros per month, which accounted for 27% of the total expenditure. Compared to the previous year, the expenditure on food increased nearly 5%. Expenditure on dwelling per household member amounted to over 51 euros per month (18% of the household budget), which was 4 euros more than in 2011.

Expenditure on transport (incl. public transport tickets, motor fuel, oil) totalled 36 euros, on leisure time 27 euros, on communication services 16 euros, on housekeeping 16 euros, on clothing and footwear 14 euros and on health 10 euros per month per household member. Compared to the previous year, the expenditure on transport has increased the most – a household member spent on transport 16% more than in 2011. Households have also started to spend more on health, clothing and footwear, household equipment, eating out and spending leisure time (incl. travelling).

In urban areas a household member spent on average 296 euros per month and in rural areas the respective indicator was 273 euros. A household member in urban areas spent on average 18 euros more on dwelling than a household member in rural areas, the share of dwelling in total expenditure accounted for 19% in urban and 14% in rural areas. Expenditures on food, clothing and footwear, leisure time, health and eating out were also larger in urban areas. On the other hand, rural households spent 15% of their budget on transport, in urban areas the expenditure on transport accounted for 11% of the household budget.

By counties, the expenditures of households were the biggest in Harju county (335 euros per month per household member) and Tartu county (328 euros per month per household member). The smallest expenditures were in households of Ida-Viru county, Valga county and Põlva county (respectively 200, 209 and 217 euros per month per household member).

The estimates are calculated according to the data of the Household Budget Survey conducted by Statistics Estonia. In 2012, more than 3,500 households participated in the survey. Household is a group of persons who live at the same address and share joint financial resources and whose members consider themselves to be members of one household, while family is based on relationship or kinship. In 2012, nearly 600,000 households lived in Estonia and the average size of a household was 2.2 persons.

Mortgage payments, real estate purchases, financial investments, expenses on major repairs or construction and other investments are not taken into account as household’s consumption expenditures.

The Household Budget Survey is carried out by statistical organisations of all European Union Member States on the basis of the harmonised methodology.