“Actual individual consumption” in Portugal in 2013 was 16% lower than the average consumption among the EU’s 28 member states.
The measurement, provided by Eurostat, is one way to gauge the material welfare of households.
It consists of goods and services actually consumed by individuals, irrespective of whether they have been paid for by households, government, or charity.
Consumption levels in Portugal have remained at roughly the same level over the last three years.
Highest consumption was recorded in Luxembourg (35% above average). Germany and Austria, both 20% above, followed.
Levels between 10 and 15% above average were recorded in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, UK, Netherlands, Belgium and France.
Italy was on average. Ireland and Cyprus were just below average, while Spain was 10% below.
Greece was on the same level as Portugal while Malta was just slightly lower.
Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, all outside the EU, had consumption levels well above average.
Falling lower than Portugal’s 16% were Lithuania, Slovenia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia – all with levels between 20% and 30% below average.
Estonia, Latvia, Hungary and Croatia were between 30% and 40% below.
Romania had consumption just under 40% below average while Bulgaria had the very lowest consumption and was a full 50% lower than average.
