The table below shows the monthly expenditure of an average Australian family in 1991 and

2001

1991 2001
Australian dollar per month
Food 155 160
Electricity and water 75 120
Clothing 30 20
Housing 95 100
Transport 70 45
Other goods and services* 250 270
Total 675 715

Other goods and services: Non-essential goods and services

Analyze:

Overall

Trend: Increase

Highest point and lowest point

Body

Group 1: Increase

Electricity and water: 45

Other goods and services: 20

Housing: 5

Food : 5

Group 2: Decrease

Clothing: 10

Transport: 25
The table illustrates the amount of money spent monthly on different products and services by
average household in Australia in 1991 and 2001.(The table illustrates changes in the monthly
spending of an average Australian household between 1991 and 2001)

Overall/ in general, the amount of monthly expenditure on these categories in 2001 was higher in
comparison with that of 1991, but the difference was not significant. In addition, Australians
tended to pay much for food and “non-essential goods and services”, whereas clothing was the
least popular one.

As is shown from the chart, the amount of monthly spending on electricity and water saw a
dramatic growth over the 10-year period, rising from 75 dollars to 120 dollars. Yet in term of the
expenditure per month on non essential goods and services, the upward trend was less obvious
with a minor increase of 20 dollars. At the same time, the amount of money paid on food and
housing per month rose only slightly from 155 dollars to 160 dollars and 95 dollars to 100
dollars respectively.( rose by only 5 dollars for each).

By contrast, there was a moderate decrease in monthly expenditure on the other two items.
Australian spent one third less on clothing, which fell from 30 dollars to 20 dollars. Similarly,
spending on transport dropped by 25 dollars in 2001 compared to 1991.