Evolution of the consumption pattern of Brazilian families between 2008 and 2017

Abstract Between 2004 and 2014, Brazil experienced a rise in mass consumption, thanks to the increase in the purchasing power of low-income families. This article analyzes, from a microeconomic perspective, the changes in the pattern of household expenditure that resulted from this scenario. It also assesses the extent to which the economic crisis that started in 2014 has reversed the improvement in the welfare level reached in the previous period. To this end, we use data from the 2017-2018 Brazilian Family Budget Survey, comparing them with the corresponding results from its previous edition (2008-2009). We estimate per capita family expenses in different categories, as well as income-elasticities and concentration ratios, to evaluate which types of expenditure have become more (or less) concentrated in the relatively wealthy families. We pay particular attention to consumption expenditure, given its direct influence on living standards.

摘要：2004年至2014年间，受低收入家庭购买力提升的推动，巴西迎来大众消费的增长。本文从微观经济视角出发，分析该背景下家庭支出结构的变化，并评估2014年爆发的经济危机在多大程度上逆转了此前阶段居民福利水平的改善态势。为此，本文采用2017-2018年巴西家庭预算调查（Brazilian Family Budget Survey）的数据，并将其与上一轮调查（2008-2009年）的对应结果进行对比。本文估算了不同类别下的家庭人均支出、收入弹性与集中度比率，以此评估哪些支出类型在相对富裕家庭中的集中度有所提升（或下降）。鉴于消费支出对居民生活水平具有直接影响，本文对其给予了特别关注。