Differences in the Level and Structure of Consumption of Polish Households from 2010-2019

Abstract

This article aims to assess the level and structure of household consumption and its social differentiation in the years 2010–2019 in terms of disposable income and consumption expenditure. The data on household budgets were sourced from Statistics Poland. The analysis revealed clear differences in the level and structure of household consumption observed over a ten year period. The share of expenditure on food, healthcare, as well as transport and communications is growing, while the share of expenditure on housing, clothing and shoes is decreasing. Meanwhile, the level of these changes varies across groups of households. The decreasing propensity of households to consume and the increasing level of income accumulation are evidence of an increase in their economic welfare. However, the deepening process of social polarization of income clearly perpetuates inequality in the level and structure of household consumption.