Informations rapides
30 January 2019
2019- n° 24
Household consumption expenditure on goods decreased in december (−1.5%) and over the fourth quarter (−0.7%) Household consumption expenditure on goods - December 2018

In december 2018, household expenditure on goods fell by 1.5% in volume*, after decreasing slightly in november (−0.1%). This downturn was mainly due to a sharp drop in energy consumption (−4.3%) and purchases of manufactured goods (−1.9%). Over the whole fourth quarter, consumer spending on goods fell sharply (−0.7% after +0.3% in the third quarter), due to the decline in durable manufactured goods consumption.

Informations rapides
No 24
Paru le :Paru le30/01/2019
Prochaine parution le : 30/04/2024 at 07:30 - March 2024

In december 2018, household expenditure on goods fell by 1.5% in volume*, after decreasing slightly in november (−0.1%). This downturn was mainly due to a sharp drop in energy consumption (−4.3%) and purchases of manufactured goods (−1.9%). Over the whole fourth quarter, consumer spending on goods fell sharply (−0.7% after +0.3% in the third quarter), due to the decline in durable manufactured goods consumption.

Total consumption of goods

Total consumption of goods
Monthly data
2009-01 45.283
2009-02 44.671
2009-03 44.48
2009-04 44.945
2009-05 45.297
2009-06 45.487
2009-07 45.073
2009-08 44.731
2009-09 45.292
2009-10 45.375
2009-11 45.332
2009-12 46.028
2010-01 45.655
2010-02 45.44
2010-03 45.768
2010-04 45.487
2010-05 45.81
2010-06 45.306
2010-07 45.881
2010-08 45.587
2010-09 45.892
2010-10 45.93
2010-11 46.514
2010-12 46.745
2011-01 46.692
2011-02 46.911
2011-03 46.545
2011-04 45.612
2011-05 45.436
2011-06 45.804
2011-07 45.637
2011-08 45.934
2011-09 45.822
2011-10 45.655
2011-11 45.631
2011-12 45.517
2012-01 45.624
2012-02 46.26
2012-03 45.528
2012-04 45.564
2012-05 45.598
2012-06 45.689
2012-07 45.597
2012-08 45.449
2012-09 45.34
2012-10 45.449
2012-11 45.413
2012-12 45.284
2013-01 45.192
2013-02 45.436
2013-03 45.778
2013-04 45.472
2013-05 45.747
2013-06 45.268
2013-07 45.368
2013-08 45.189
2013-09 45.284
2013-10 45.339
2013-11 46.011
2013-12 45.934
2014-01 45.125
2014-02 44.913
2014-03 45.105
2014-04 45.083
2014-05 45.308
2014-06 45.453
2014-07 45.339
2014-08 45.538
2014-09 45.381
2014-10 45.324
2014-11 45.453
2014-12 46.041
2015-01 46.213
2015-02 46.04
2015-03 45.821
2015-04 46.087
2015-05 45.899
2015-06 46.404
2015-07 46.439
2015-08 46.297
2015-09 46.529
2015-10 46.52
2015-11 45.65
2015-12 46.603
2016-01 46.856
2016-02 46.562
2016-03 47.026
2016-04 47.21
2016-05 46.861
2016-06 46.955
2016-07 46.522
2016-08 46.727
2016-09 46.78
2016-10 47.4
2016-11 47.344
2016-12 47.399
2017-01 47.651
2017-02 47.039
2017-03 46.95
2017-04 47.378
2017-05 47.735
2017-06 47.582
2017-07 47.768
2017-08 47.601
2017-09 48.248
2017-10 47.074
2017-11 48.267
2017-12 47.921
2018-01 47.005
2018-02 48.079
2018-03 48.115
2018-04 47.245
2018-05 47.592
2018-06 47.695
2018-07 47.644
2018-08 48.132
2018-09 47.141
2018-10 47.564
2018-11 47.533
2018-12 46.832

Total consumption of goods

  • Source: INSEE.

Engineered goods: significant decline in December, decreaseover the quarter

In December, manufactured goods spending fell sharply (−1.9% after +0.0% in November), due to the significant decline in durable goods purchases (−3.8%). Over the fourth quarter, manufactured goods spending declined (−1.2%).

Durables: significant decrease in December and over the quarter

Consumption of durable goods fell sharply in December (−3.8%, after +0.1% in November). In particular, car purchases fell, possibly in anticipation of a more favourable scrapping premium from January onwards. The decline in household durables purchases, particularly telephones and televisions, also contributed to the decrease in durable goods consumption in December. Over the fourth quarter, purchases of durable goods diminished (-2.3%).

Textile-clothing: slight decline in December, decreaseover the quarter

Expenditure on textile clothing fell slightly in December after two months of increase (−0.3% after +0.2% in November and +1.3% in October). In particular, spending on textiles fell sharply. Over the fourth quarter, consumption of textile clothing decreased slightly (−0.4%).

Other engineered goods: almost stable in December and over the quarter

In December, consumption of "other manufactured goods" was almost stable (+0.1% after −0.4% in November). Over the quarter, consumption of "other manufactured goods" barely decreased (−0.1%).

Breakdown of engineered goods

Breakdown of engineered goods
Transport equipment Clothing Other engineered goods Household durables
2009-01 5.583 4.584 5.775 2.616
2009-02 5.524 4.29 5.724 2.602
2009-03 5.618 4.397 5.718 2.603
2009-04 5.672 4.338 5.699 2.624
2009-05 6.113 4.353 5.734 2.631
2009-06 5.86 4.563 5.738 2.687
2009-07 5.78 4.282 5.753 2.693
2009-08 5.672 4.115 5.727 2.694
2009-09 5.856 4.355 5.761 2.73
2009-10 5.903 4.453 5.772 2.704
2009-11 6.273 4.327 5.77 2.702
2009-12 6.291 4.417 5.812 2.724
2010-01 5.883 4.502 5.793 2.744
2010-02 5.708 4.243 5.829 2.767
2010-03 5.89 4.418 5.866 2.798
2010-04 5.571 4.408 5.933 2.773
2010-05 5.616 4.334 5.932 2.884
2010-06 5.607 4.12 5.953 2.799
2010-07 5.542 4.655 5.967 2.768
2010-08 5.367 4.435 5.969 2.908
2010-09 5.602 4.437 6.0 2.866
2010-10 5.594 4.366 6.012 2.824
2010-11 6.069 4.468 6.038 2.828
2010-12 6.094 4.439 6.026 2.811
2011-01 6.221 4.368 6.068 2.923
2011-02 6.31 4.523 6.074 3.015
2011-03 6.193 4.433 6.082 2.991
2011-04 5.614 4.508 6.096 2.874
2011-05 5.521 4.363 6.081 2.884
2011-06 5.517 4.424 6.11 2.936
2011-07 5.524 4.241 6.101 2.945
2011-08 5.57 4.304 6.118 2.945
2011-09 5.6 4.262 6.107 2.924
2011-10 5.538 4.326 6.123 2.911
2011-11 5.752 4.285 6.117 2.866
2011-12 5.691 4.331 6.109 3.05
2012-01 5.45 4.374 6.096 2.953
2012-02 5.339 4.264 6.124 3.032
2012-03 5.518 4.49 6.118 2.959
2012-04 5.316 3.973 6.075 3.064
2012-05 5.439 4.292 6.097 3.023
2012-06 5.328 4.12 6.131 3.046
2012-07 5.216 4.239 6.152 3.037
2012-08 5.204 4.223 6.098 2.977
2012-09 5.072 4.341 6.111 3.0
2012-10 5.138 4.328 6.127 3.031
2012-11 5.123 4.253 6.098 3.059
2012-12 5.316 4.251 6.12 3.036
2013-01 4.997 4.278 6.117 3.028
2013-02 4.993 4.208 6.116 3.003
2013-03 4.919 4.176 6.112 3.068
2013-04 4.962 4.217 6.145 3.091
2013-05 5.044 4.118 6.165 3.085
2013-06 4.996 4.241 6.132 3.097
2013-07 4.981 4.247 6.161 3.067
2013-08 5.022 4.178 6.162 3.114
2013-09 4.979 4.24 6.175 3.125
2013-10 5.07 4.274 6.179 3.156
2013-11 5.103 4.37 6.194 3.118
2013-12 5.422 4.24 6.202 3.188
2014-01 4.885 4.378 6.213 3.178
2014-02 5.033 4.28 6.216 3.114
2014-03 4.988 4.358 6.244 3.122
2014-04 5.046 4.25 6.242 3.14
2014-05 4.891 4.27 6.231 3.265
2014-06 4.969 4.35 6.242 3.234
2014-07 4.919 4.345 6.255 3.297
2014-08 4.952 4.266 6.295 3.335
2014-09 4.921 4.058 6.284 3.34
2014-10 5.017 4.238 6.298 3.336
2014-11 4.989 4.301 6.322 3.347
2014-12 4.975 4.37 6.348 3.418
2015-01 4.998 4.472 6.378 3.397
2015-02 4.957 4.331 6.417 3.4
2015-03 5.03 4.308 6.41 3.371
2015-04 5.036 4.412 6.414 3.357
2015-05 5.066 4.29 6.406 3.367
2015-06 5.204 4.443 6.432 3.383
2015-07 5.192 4.35 6.413 3.451
2015-08 5.108 4.394 6.406 3.463
2015-09 5.213 4.42 6.45 3.496
2015-10 5.193 4.334 6.418 3.449
2015-11 5.205 4.112 6.406 3.367
2015-12 5.293 4.303 6.427 3.771
2016-01 5.348 4.571 6.432 3.569
2016-02 5.368 4.166 6.46 3.595
2016-03 5.487 4.206 6.455 3.745
2016-04 5.43 4.194 6.442 3.892
2016-05 5.386 4.221 6.459 3.61
2016-06 5.395 4.495 6.452 3.754
2016-07 5.391 4.209 6.456 3.484
2016-08 5.487 4.184 6.454 3.51
2016-09 5.511 4.118 6.445 3.557
2016-10 5.531 4.354 6.469 3.594
2016-11 5.759 4.202 6.489 3.584
2016-12 5.814 4.257 6.494 3.596
2017-01 5.624 4.257 6.524 3.622
2017-02 5.639 4.38 6.503 3.721
2017-03 5.696 4.365 6.532 3.718
2017-04 5.646 4.187 6.499 3.755
2017-05 5.769 4.371 6.508 3.776
2017-06 5.826 4.211 6.542 3.796
2017-07 5.805 4.282 6.538 3.869
2017-08 5.811 4.307 6.559 3.823
2017-09 5.753 4.554 6.564 3.856
2017-10 5.805 4.083 6.554 3.819
2017-11 5.765 4.375 6.588 3.981
2017-12 5.89 4.287 6.561 3.813
2018-01 5.73 4.205 6.559 3.838
2018-02 5.812 4.311 6.543 3.837
2018-03 5.922 4.237 6.558 3.892
2018-04 5.935 4.356 6.573 3.816
2018-05 5.979 4.249 6.565 3.868
2018-06 5.94 4.254 6.563 3.975
2018-07 5.909 4.293 6.583 3.902
2018-08 6.419 4.299 6.58 3.925
2018-09 5.844 4.188 6.57 3.898
2018-10 5.904 4.242 6.587 3.946
2018-11 5.8 4.248 6.563 4.06
2018-12 5.555 4.238 6.569 3.894

Breakdown of engineered goods

  • Source: INSEE.

Food products : slight increase in December and slight decrease over the quarter

In December, food consumption rebounded (+0.5% after −0.4%). The consumption of agri-food products was dynamic, in particular the one of meat and meat preparations. However, the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables decreased. Tobacco consumption increased in December (+1.0%). Nevertheless,over the whole quarter, food consumption fell (−0.1%).

Breakdown of energy

Breakdown of energy
Refined Products Energy, water, waste
2009-01 4.36 4.84
2009-02 4.339 4.749
2009-03 4.304 4.576
2009-04 4.36 4.619
2009-05 4.313 4.556
2009-06 4.322 4.57
2009-07 4.293 4.577
2009-08 4.085 4.603
2009-09 4.169 4.579
2009-10 4.148 4.554
2009-11 4.171 4.395
2009-12 4.279 4.645
2010-01 4.027 4.877
2010-02 4.303 4.78
2010-03 4.149 4.694
2010-04 4.271 4.621
2010-05 4.152 4.813
2010-06 4.114 4.595
2010-07 4.199 4.589
2010-08 4.117 4.616
2010-09 4.182 4.646
2010-10 4.167 4.75
2010-11 4.185 4.732
2010-12 4.079 5.054
2011-01 4.213 4.585
2011-02 4.168 4.452
2011-03 4.093 4.455
2011-04 4.022 4.125
2011-05 3.855 4.415
2011-06 4.025 4.551
2011-07 4.0 4.54
2011-08 4.167 4.567
2011-09 4.068 4.528
2011-10 4.003 4.472
2011-11 3.951 4.395
2011-12 3.839 4.39
2012-01 4.019 4.42
2012-02 4.069 5.201
2012-03 4.012 4.193
2012-04 3.939 4.937
2012-05 4.065 4.559
2012-06 4.111 4.555
2012-07 3.999 4.563
2012-08 3.979 4.568
2012-09 3.926 4.588
2012-10 3.992 4.594
2012-11 4.045 4.714
2012-12 3.85 4.524
2013-01 3.892 4.67
2013-02 3.957 4.807
2013-03 3.977 4.909
2013-04 4.06 4.973
2013-05 4.106 4.87
2013-06 3.881 4.668
2013-07 3.91 4.602
2013-08 3.87 4.557
2013-09 3.825 4.591
2013-10 3.861 4.277
2013-11 3.87 4.826
2013-12 3.906 4.536
2014-01 3.834 4.234
2014-02 3.797 4.204
2014-03 3.816 4.128
2014-04 3.823 4.152
2014-05 3.754 4.411
2014-06 3.86 4.331
2014-07 3.828 4.349
2014-08 3.858 4.348
2014-09 3.89 4.313
2014-10 3.86 4.023
2014-11 3.769 4.145
2014-12 3.984 4.343
2015-01 3.888 4.439
2015-02 3.86 4.529
2015-03 3.826 4.292
2015-04 3.882 4.252
2015-05 3.806 4.282
2015-06 3.887 4.314
2015-07 4.016 4.357
2015-08 3.904 4.337
2015-09 3.914 4.443
2015-10 3.868 4.657
2015-11 3.766 4.133
2015-12 4.003 3.892
2016-01 3.888 4.225
2016-02 3.968 4.24
2016-03 3.97 4.441
2016-04 3.934 4.677
2016-05 4.15 4.407
2016-06 3.665 4.427
2016-07 3.916 4.375
2016-08 3.998 4.378
2016-09 3.955 4.362
2016-10 3.973 4.635
2016-11 4.03 4.531
2016-12 4.013 4.475
2017-01 4.038 4.837
2017-02 3.954 4.087
2017-03 3.923 3.965
2017-04 3.958 4.374
2017-05 4.038 4.426
2017-06 4.018 4.39
2017-07 4.029 4.407
2017-08 4.015 4.427
2017-09 4.163 4.546
2017-10 3.803 4.24
2017-11 3.972 4.571
2017-12 4.097 4.581
2018-01 3.96 4.127
2018-02 3.996 4.754
2018-03 4.021 4.605
2018-04 3.978 4.269
2018-05 3.98 4.339
2018-06 3.977 4.361
2018-07 3.916 4.388
2018-08 3.943 4.387
2018-09 3.861 4.364
2018-10 4.027 4.316
2018-11 3.964 4.428
2018-12 3.76 4.265

Breakdown of energy

  • Source: INSEE.

Energy: sharp decline in December, slight decrease over the quarter

In December, energy consumption fell sharply (−4.3%). Indeed, fuel consumption was down for the second consecutive month and gas and electricity consumption fell sharply, after a relatively mild December. Over the fourth quarter, energy consumption decreased slightly (−0.4%).

Food products, engineered goods and energy

Food products, engineered goods and energy
Food products Energy Engineered goods
2009-01 16.444 9.192 19.731
2009-02 16.335 9.085 19.347
2009-03 16.129 8.889 19.522
2009-04 16.482 8.99 19.552
2009-05 16.479 8.881 19.978
2009-06 16.534 8.905 20.087
2009-07 16.506 8.879 19.746
2009-08 16.672 8.674 19.45
2009-09 16.641 8.745 19.944
2009-10 16.658 8.699 20.045
2009-11 16.497 8.579 20.254
2009-12 16.682 8.926 20.442
2010-01 16.611 8.92 20.158
2010-02 16.634 9.09 19.805
2010-03 16.704 8.852 20.232
2010-04 16.689 8.896 19.951
2010-05 16.798 8.977 20.087
2010-06 16.874 8.716 19.755
2010-07 16.897 8.793 20.206
2010-08 16.866 8.741 20.003
2010-09 16.895 8.835 20.187
2010-10 16.989 8.926 20.063
2010-11 16.963 8.926 20.628
2010-12 17.049 9.152 20.588
2011-01 17.025 8.812 20.846
2011-02 17.038 8.636 21.191
2011-03 16.978 8.561 20.963
2011-04 17.026 8.166 20.372
2011-05 16.977 8.277 20.156
2011-06 16.905 8.585 20.31
2011-07 16.95 8.549 20.141
2011-08 16.942 8.747 20.261
2011-09 17.017 8.607 20.203
2011-10 16.963 8.485 20.2
2011-11 16.96 8.357 20.289
2011-12 16.723 8.236 20.503
2012-01 16.993 8.452 20.167
2012-02 16.996 9.238 20.043
2012-03 16.913 8.231 20.356
2012-04 16.973 8.85 19.754
2012-05 16.847 8.632 20.111
2012-06 17.067 8.677 19.949
2012-07 17.091 8.564 19.943
2012-08 17.109 8.548 19.797
2012-09 17.02 8.509 19.812
2012-10 16.938 8.586 19.923
2012-11 16.832 8.755 19.831
2012-12 16.902 8.368 20.002
2013-01 16.948 8.549 19.697
2013-02 17.093 8.746 19.604
2013-03 17.351 8.863 19.575
2013-04 16.748 9.013 19.714
2013-05 17.078 8.966 19.711
2013-06 16.973 8.535 19.761
2013-07 17.119 8.505 19.747
2013-08 16.993 8.42 19.776
2013-09 17.074 8.403 19.808
2013-10 17.207 8.149 19.98
2013-11 17.267 8.67 20.074
2013-12 17.148 8.439 20.342
2014-01 17.078 8.069 19.978
2014-02 16.952 8.002 19.959
2014-03 17.146 7.948 20.01
2014-04 17.119 7.978 19.985
2014-05 17.176 8.156 19.976
2014-06 17.169 8.189 20.095
2014-07 17.023 8.173 20.142
2014-08 17.169 8.203 20.166
2014-09 17.249 8.203 19.929
2014-10 17.213 7.893 20.217
2014-11 17.248 7.916 20.288
2014-12 17.258 8.33 20.453
2015-01 17.308 8.327 20.578
2015-02 17.206 8.39 20.444
2015-03 17.239 8.118 20.464
2015-04 17.401 8.134 20.551
2015-05 17.33 8.088 20.481
2015-06 17.404 8.201 20.799
2015-07 17.317 8.374 20.748
2015-08 17.366 8.241 20.689
2015-09 17.255 8.357 20.918
2015-10 17.297 8.525 20.698
2015-11 17.356 7.899 20.395
2015-12 17.564 7.894 21.145
2016-01 17.479 8.106 21.264
2016-02 17.459 8.197 20.904
2016-03 17.396 8.413 21.221
2016-04 17.325 8.63 21.266
2016-05 17.318 8.543 21.008
2016-06 17.415 8.114 21.42
2016-07 17.373 8.292 20.858
2016-08 17.421 8.372 20.937
2016-09 17.51 8.315 20.955
2016-10 17.507 8.622 21.28
2016-11 17.418 8.565 21.369
2016-12 17.416 8.489 21.499
2017-01 17.426 8.906 21.345
2017-02 17.435 8.013 21.577
2017-03 17.429 7.853 21.646
2017-04 17.626 8.329 21.419
2017-05 17.525 8.458 21.756
2017-06 17.485 8.401 21.699
2017-07 17.514 8.429 21.829
2017-08 17.332 8.438 21.839
2017-09 17.504 8.701 22.059
2017-10 17.424 8.044 21.594
2017-11 17.668 8.556 22.048
2017-12 17.368 8.68 21.892
2018-01 17.274 8.072 21.662
2018-02 17.496 8.765 21.825
2018-03 17.54 8.631 21.95
2018-04 17.011 8.238 22.012
2018-05 17.306 8.312 21.983
2018-06 17.316 8.333 22.057
2018-07 17.338 8.304 22.011
2018-08 17.246 8.329 22.577
2018-09 17.087 8.227 21.838
2018-10 17.227 8.333 22.016
2018-11 17.151 8.391 22.005
2018-12 17.231 8.027 21.577

Food products, engineered goods and energy

  • Source: INSEE.

The variation in November 2018 was revised upwards

Compared to the previous estimation, the change of household expenditure on goods in November 2018 was revised upwards: −0.1% instead of −0.3%. Indeed, new information has been integrated and the seasonal adjustment coefficients have been updated.

Figure1Household consumption expenditure on goods

Changes in %. TD-SA
Household consumption expenditure on goods (Changes in %. TD-SA )
Weight (1) Oct 2018 Nov 2018 Dec 2018 Dec 18 / Dec 17 Q / Q-1 (2)
Food products 38 0.8 -0.4 0.5 -0.8 -0.1
- excl. Tobacco 34 0.9 -0.5 0.4 -0.4 -0.1
Engineered goods 45 0.8 0.0 -1.9 -1.4 -1.2
- Durables 22 1.0 0.1 -3.8 -2.5 -2.3
Including :
- Transport equipment 12 1.0 -1.8 -4.2 -5.7 -5.0
- Household durables 7 1.2 2.9 -4.1 2.1 1.5
- Textile-clothing 9 1.3 0.2 -0.3 -1.2 -0.4
- Other engineered goods 14 0.3 -0.4 0.1 0.1 -0.1
Energy 18 1.3 0.7 -4.3 -7.5 -0.4
- Energy. water. waste 10 -1.1 2.6 -3.7 -6.9 -1.0
- Refined Products 8 4.3 -1.6 -5.2 -8.2 0.3
Total 100 0.9 -0.1 -1.5 -2.3 -0.7
- Including Manufactured goods 84 1.0 -0.4 -1.2 -1.6 -0.7
  • (1) Weighting in the consumption expenditure on goods in value in 2017
  • (2) Last three months / previous three months
  • Source : Insee

For more information

*Volumes are measured at chain-link previous year prices (2014 euro billions) and all figures are trading-day and seasonally adjusted.

Scope and definition - Consumption expenditure on goods is compliant with the national-accounts definition (NAF Rev. 2). In 2010, they accounted for half of total households’ consumption expenditure. They are divided into three main items:

Food: products of agriculture, forestry and fishing (AZ), food, drinks and tobacco (C1)

Energy: mining products, as well as water, gas, electricity and air conditioning, sanitation and waste management (DE), and refined and coked products (C2).

Engineered goods: computers, electronic, electrical and optical goods (C3), transport equipment (C4), textiles and clothing, products made of leather, wood, paper, metals, plastic, rubber, chemicals, minerals, furniture, hardware, drugs (C5). Within this heading are distinguished “durable” goods which include transport equipment, household durables (furniture, household appliances, etc.) and other durable goods (jewelry, watches, glasses, medical devices, etc.).

The manufactured goods correspond with all the products C1, C2, C3, C4, C5.

Sources: This indicator is the compilation of a variety of statistical sources issued by the Bank of France, the French Federation of Automobile Manufacturers (CCFA), the Department of Data and Statistical Studies (SDES), the French Institute of Fashion (IFM), the National Health-Insurance Administration (CNAM), the National Federation of Rubber and Plastics Industries (SNCP), the Board of Oil (CPDP), GFK, Logista, the International Union Committee of Automobile and Motorcycle (CSIAM), etc. Figures are seasonally and trading-days adjusted (TD-SA).

Next publication: 28 February 2019 at 8:45am

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