ABS: Spending up 6.6%

Following increases in January and February 2022, Household spending rose again in March 2022 by 6.6 per cent, compared to a year ago, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Jacqui Vitas, head of Macroeconomic statistics at the ABS, said “the largest increases were for spending on recreation and culture (17.8 per cent), clothing and footwear (15.2 per cent) and transport (12.5 per cent).

“In fact, Household spending increased in seven of the nine spending categories in March 2022, compared to March 2021. The only categories with decreased spending were alcoholic beverages and tobacco (-16.5 per cent) and health (-2.3 per cent),” Ms Vitas said.

All states and territories saw increases in household spending in March 2022, compared with March 2021. Victoria (8.5 per cent) and Queensland (8.5 percent) saw the strongest increases in spending through the year.

Compared to pre-pandemic January 2020 estimates, total household spending was 8.8 per cent higher in current price, calendar adjusted terms.

The strongest increases in were in health (up 24.2 per cent), clothing and footwear (up 19.5 per cent) and recreation and culture (up 15.0 per cent).  Household spending on hotels, cafes and restaurants was 5.4 per cent below pre-pandemic levels.

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