Previous page | New search |
The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here
Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Consumer demand in South Africa |
Authors: | Selvanathan, E.A. Selvanathan, Saroja |
Year: | 2003 |
Periodical: | South African Journal of Economics |
Volume: | 71 |
Issue: | 2 |
Pages: | 325-344 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | South Africa |
Subjects: | household budget consumption |
External link: | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1813-6982.2003.tb01311.x/pdf |
Abstract: | This paper identifies the major determinants of the consumption characteristics in South Africa using the system-wide approach (H. Theil, 1975-1976, 1980) together with the most recent consumption data for the period 1960-2001. The results show that, on average, South African consumers allocate about one third of their income to food and about half of their income to food, clothing and housing combined. They also spend about 13 percent on furniture, 4 percent on medical care, 15 percent on transport, 6 percent on recreation and education and the remaining 8 percent on all other things. Furthermore, the South African consumption data support the 'law of demand'. Based on the estimation results, it was found that food, housing and medical care are necessities, and clothing, furniture, transport and recreation are luxuries. Demand for all the commodities are price inelastic. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract] |