The bar chart illustrates the percentage of individuals’ expenses on various products and services in one European country in the years 1998 and 2008. Overall, buying electronic goods and eating out were the major expenditures in both years, with their importance growing further in 2008. Additionally, while the expenses on holidays, printed media, and cinemas saw a drop in their figures, the percentage of eating out remained stable.
In 1998, people spent most of their income on electronics and outfits, with respective figures of 16% and 12%. Not too far behind was the proportion of vacations, at 8%, and that of eating out stood at 6%. Finally, the shares of newspapers/magazines and going to cinemas shared the same standing, each comprising 3%.
By 2008, the figures in the mix had shifted considerably. The percentages of electronic products and garments increased to 20% and 18%, respectively. There was a 3-percentage-point reduction in the figures for holidays, whereas dining out did not record any changes. Lastly, the proportions of newspapers/magazines and visiting cinemas fell to the same level, only 1%.