Changes in People’s Daily Expenses 人们日常开支的变化

Year 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Food 66% 61% 48% 41% 36%

Clothing 9% 10% 12% 15% 18%

Recreation 4% 5% 8% 9% 11%

Others 21% 24% 32% 35% 35%

Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Changes in People’s Daily Expenses

What is shown in the table above indicates that dramatic changes have taken place in the people’s daily expenses from 1995 to 1999. The expenses on food have declined by 30% while those on clothing and recreation have increased respectively by 9% and 7% . The statistics of rise and fall seem to exist in isolation but closely related to one another .

There are two factors accounting for these changes. Development in economy is an essential one in the five years. The increased income resulting from economic growth plays an important part in the less expense on food. Hence, a small percentage of total income is enough to cover food expense. Another one is the changes in life style. When food presents no worry to the average, people begin to focus more of interest on handsome appearance and happy leisure time . As a result of such a shift, spending on clothing and recreation increases year after year.

From the analyses made above, we may come to the conclusion that people’s living standards have been constantly improved between 1995 and 1999. With the further growth in economy and more changes in life style, the tendency indicated in the table will continue in the better direction.