The chart illustrates the data concerning weekly family expenditure proportions in 1968 and 2018.
In 1968, the most significant expenditure was on food, accounting for 35% of the weekly budget. Housing and clothing followed, each taking up 10% of the income. Expenditures on leisure, transport, personal goods, and household items were approximately the same, with leisure being marginally higher. Lastly, the lowest spending rates were on fuel and other categories, each at 6%.
By 2018, the percentage of family expenditure on food had dropped dramatically to between 15 and 20%. Conversely, spending on housing had risen significantly, reaching just over 20%, slightly more than that on food. The most notable increase was observed in leisure spending, which had surged by about 10% over 50 years. Transportation expenditures came next, followed by household goods and other categories, respectively. The last three categories, fuel and power, clothing and footwear, and personal goods, remained the lowest, consistent with the figures from 1968.
Overall, the average weekly expenditures of families have undergone dramatic changes over the past 50 years. While some spending rates have remained stable, others have shown significant variations.