The bar chart compare consumers expenditure on 7 different categories in a European country between 1990 and 2020, expressed as a percentage of weekly income.
Overall, It is clear that European people spent significantly more money on rent and housing costs, which became the largest expense by 2020. Conversely, the proportion of income spent on groceries shows a significant decline over the period.
In 1990, groceries accounted for the largest share of household spending, at approximately 33 percent of weekly income. This figure decreased substantially to around 18 percent in 2020. Rent and housing costs, on the other hand, rose sharply from roughly 11 percent in 1990 to nearly 36 percent in 2020, overtaking groceries as the most significant expenditure. Clothing also shows a noticeable decline, falling from about 18 percent to just under 10 percent.
The remaining categories experienced more moderate shifts. Spending on transportation increased slightly from just over 10 percent to around 12 percent, while expenditure on utilities remained relatively stable at approximately 6 percent in both years. Simultaneously, spending on entertainment showed a modest increase, rising from roughly 8 percent to 10. Personal care saw the smallest change, increasing marginally from around 4 to 5 percent.
In summary, the data reveals a considerable shift in household spending priorities, with a marked increase in housing costs and a corresponding decrease in expenditure on essential items such as groceries and clothing. This suggests a potential change in economic conditions and consumer habits over the 30-year period.