Greek household budgets dropped a little bit more last year

The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) announced the results of the Household Budget Survey (HBS) conducted in 2015. The survey, presented on Wednesday, was conducted on a sample of 6,150 private households throughout the country. A change in the average household consumption expenditure decreased by 2.8 percent (40.95 euros) in 2015 in comparison to 2014, amounting to 1,419.57 euros.

Specifically, the following was noted:

2.2 percent for food (293.3 euros from 299.79 euros).
2.6 percent for spirits and tobacco (57.27 euros from 58.8 euros).
3.1 percent for clothes and shoewear (83.06 euros from 85.6 euros).
3.1 percent for accommodation (189.21 euros from 195.29 euros).
8.6 percent for goods (66.49 euros from 72.76 euros).
1.7 percent for transport (181.64 euros from 184.82 euros).
2.7 percent for communication (58.46 euros from 60.08 euros).
1.1 percent for recreation and culture (67.59 euros from 68.71 euros).
8.1 percent for education (46.7 euros from 50.84 euros)
1.7 percent for hotels, coffee and restaurant outings (141.05 euros from 143.49 euros)
5.3 percent for other goods and services (127.37 euros from 134.49 euros)

Between 2014 and 2015 it was found that there were not important changes recorded in consumption patterns. Analytically, at current prices, the percentage distribution of the twelve main categories of goods and services is the following: food 20.7 percent, housing 13.3 percent, transport 12.8 percent, hotels, cafes and restaurants 9.9 percent, miscellaneous goods and services 9.0 percent, health 7.5 percent, clothing and footwear 5.8 percent, durables 5 percent, recreation and culture 4.7 percent, communications 4.1 percent, alcoholic beverages and tobacco 4 percent and education 3.3 percent. The only change in the descending order of participation of the twelve categories in 2015 compared to 2014 is the shift between recreation and culture and durables (from rank four to five and vice versa).