The table below shows the monthly expenditure of an average Australian family in 1991 and 2001.Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The table shows changes in expenditures for average Australian families from 1991 to 2001. The categories of expenditure consider both general and essential goods expenses, with the amount of money expressed in Australian Dollars per Month.

First of all, the general amount of money spent showed a little increase of 40 dollars in a decade, equal to almost 60% of the 1991 budget. This growth was particularly dramatic in electricity and water expenses, passed from 75 to 120 dollars, equal to a roughly 40% of starting budget in this category. At the same time, minor increases characterized food expenses and housing (both +5 AUD) and “non-essential goods and services” expenditures (+20 AUD).

Nonetheless, some categories decreased in the period considered. This is the case of clothing expenses, reduced from 30 ti 20 AUD per month, with a cut of 33%. Moreover, transport budget was reduced of almost 35%, passing from 70 AUD in 1991 to 45 in 2001.

Overall, the most relevant expenditures were related to non-essential goods and services (roughly 40% of total expenses), with food category stable at second place followed by housing, electricity and water.