1993 Consumer Expenditures Surveys — 1994-11-07

Average annual expenditures per consumer unit continued to rise at a moderate rate, increasing about 3 percent from 1992 to 1993, according to results from the Consumer Expenditure Survey released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Expenditures had risen about 1 percent in 1992 and 4 percent in 1991. The increase in expenditures from 1992 to 1993 matched the increase in general price levels, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The percent changes in expenditures from 1992 to 1993 varied among the major components of spending. The largest increases were for health care and entertainment which rose by 9 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Food expenditures rose 3 percent, and housing rose 2 percent. Expenditures on apparel and services declined by 2 percent over the period. Consumer Expenditure Survey data for 1991, 1992, and 1993 are shown below.