Lower natural gas consumption slows down consumption growth in January

In January 2007, Dutch household spending on goods and services was 0.6 percent up on one year previously. This moderate growth follows a period of robust growth. Household spending on services rose by 1.8 percent, while spending on goods dropped by 0.6 percent.

In January, households spent 3.8 percent more on durable goods than in the same month last year. Clothes and household appliances were quite popular. However, the growth rate of spending on durables slowed down compared to the preceding months. Household spending on food, drinks and tobacco increased by 1.4 percent relative to January 2006.

Due to the mild winter season, households did not use as much natural gas as in the preceding winter. In January, the consumption of natural gas was in fact reduced by more than one quarter compared to January 2006. This reduction severely curbed total consumption growth.

The figures were adjusted for price changes and differences in the number of shopping days. The effects on consumption of the introduction in January 2006 of the new Dutch health care system have been taken into account.

Domestic household consumption (volume)