Differences in Household Consumption Patterns by Socio-Economic Type

Abstract

In the paper differentiation between household consumption pattern in Poland by socio-economic group on the basis of Household Budget Survey published by Central Statistical Office was presented. Changes in the span of 2005–2013 was showed. Structural measure of differentia-tion based on Bray-Curtis metrics was used to examine consumption pattern differentiation. Results was presented on the background of household disposable incomes. In the span of 2005–2013 real incomes of households increases, at most in farmers house-holds. In the analysed period farmers households consumption pattern conformed to households of employees in nonmanual labour positions, retirees and self-employed consumption pattern. As well as in 2005 as in 2013 pairs of socio-economic household types by similar consumption pattern occurred, the first pair was households of retirees and pensioners and the second pair was households of employees on non-manual positions and self-employed. The best consumption pattern, with the smallest share of expenditures on food and non-alcoholic beverages and on housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels was observed in house-holds of employees on non-manual labour positions and self-employed while the worst consumption pattern was observed in pensioners households. Between 2005 and 2013 polarisation between households of pensioners and households of other socio-economic household types deepened.