Household consumption down in 2012

In 2012, consumption expenditure by households fell in volume (- 0.4% after +0.5%), despite the fall in their savings ratio. This was the second drop in household spending recorded in 60 years, as household purchasing power slipped significantly (- 0.9% after +0.7%), while prices continued on the same trend as in 2011. Sluggish household consumption had an impact on a number of expenditure items, with new automobiles being the hardest hit. Consumption of telephone goods and services and housing-related spending were dynamic, however. Spending on food held up, meanwhile.