Patton-Nelson Personal Consumption Tables Updated

Abstract:     
The Patton-Nelson Personal Consumption Tables were last published in the Spring Summer, 1991 issue of the Journal of Forensic Economics.

The Consumer Expenditure Data, 1994-95 which was made available by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in December, 1996 is the most current and comprehensive consumption data available for use at this time. These data are the updated version of the BLS data used in the 1991 article and have been used to provide the updated tables attached. The tables are presented and numbered in an identical manner as in the 1991 article so that the reader can continue to use the 1991 article for explanatory and reference purposes.

It will be noted that the updated tables generally show higher personal consumption levels when viewed on a nominal basis. However, if the data were adjusted for inflation, then the personal consumption levels only show an increase at the lowest levels of family income while actually showing a decrease at the higher levels of family income.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 9

JEL Classification: E21

Accepted Paper Series