2014 – Midyear Update Consumer Expenditures Surveys — 2015-04-02

Average expenditures per consumer unit (1) for July 2013 through June 2014 were up a modest 1.0 percent compared with the July 2012 through June 2013 midyear average, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today. Average incomes fell for a second year, showing a decrease of 0.9 percent. About half of the major components of household spending increased over the 12 months ending June 2014. (See table A.) The 11.3-percent rise in healthcare was the largest percentage increase among all major components. The subcomponent for health insurance expenditures increased by 20.1 percent primarily due to an improvement in the survey questionnaire. (See "Note on health insurance.") Table A.