The line graph illustrates the proportion of total spending in five different categories in a particular city in Australia over a period of 40 years, from 1970 to 2010.
Overall, expenditure on food, transport and health declined to varying degrees over the period, with spending on health accounting for the lowest proportions. In contrast, there was upward trends in both clothing and leisure, both overtaking the other categories by the end of the period.
In 1970, the percenatge of total spending on food stood at almost 35%, considerably higher than that of transport, at 10%. However, health accounted for the smallest percentage of total spending (5%). Over the following four decades, the figures for transport and health fell steadily to 5% and about 3% respectively, whereas expenditure on food dropped significantly to 15% in 2000, before increasing to 12% by 2000.
By contrast, leisure and clothing followed the reverse trajectories throughout the period. In 1970, the proportions of total spending on leisure and clothing were nearly identical at around 11%. The former category had risen consistently to approximately 17% by 2010, while the latter category experienced a prolonged increase to roughly 19% in the same time, making them the largest expenditure categories.