The line graph provides a breakdown of how spending patterns evolved across five sectors – food, leisure, clothing, transport, and health – in a particular country between 1970 and 2010.
What stands out most is the dramatic shift in consumer priorities over the four decades. While food dominated expenditure in 1970, it was overtaken by clothing by the end of the period. Leisure also gained ground, whereas transport and health saw continuous declines, remaining the smallest categories throughout.
In 1970, food accounted for the largest share, at 34%. Although this figure dropped consistently over the following decades – reaching a low of 15% in 2000 – it partially recovered to 17% by 2010. Leisure, meanwhile, followed a steady upward trajectory. Starting at 10% in 1970, it rose to 14% in 1980, stabilised at 15% between 1990 and 2000, and finished at 17% – equalling food by the end of the period.
Clothing exhibited the most remarkable growth. Having fluctuated between 10% and 14% from 1970 to 2000, it skyrocketed to 19% in 2010, making it the highest category. In stark contrast, transport and health followed persistently downward paths. Transport fell progressively from 10% to 5%, while health dropped from 7% to 3%, despite a minor uptick in 1980. Consequently, by 2010, clothing led at 19%, followed by leisure and food at 17%, with transport and health trailing at 5% and 3% respectively.