Istat estimates that, in 2009, the average monthly household consumption expenditure was 2,442 Euros (-1.7% in comparison with 2008).
Considering the inflation rate (+0.08) and the dynamics of the imputed rent1 (-1.1%) the variation corresponds to a reduction in real terms.
The median value passes from 2.081 Euros in 2008 to 2,020 Euros in 2009 (-2.9%).
The main reduction was observed for food and beverages expenditure (-3%), in particular in the South and the Islands (-3.9%).
For food and beverages 35.6% of the households declared of having reduced the quantity/quality of the purchased products in comparison with the previous year; among them, 65% reduced quality only, on the other hand a 15% also the quantity.
Nota. On 5 July 2010 at 12,30 am, Table 5 in the full text has been corrected.
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