Hunan Urban Resident Per Capita Consumption Expenditure Surges in Q1

　　The Hunan Survey Office of the National Statistics Bureau recently announced that the first-quarter per capita consumption expenditure by Hunan urban residents was 6,151 yuan, an annual increase of 8.7%.

　　Of the eight major consumption categories, seven increased while one declined. Rapid growth occurred in health care; education and entertainment; housing; and, transportation and communications by 34.2%, 20.5%, 12.8%, and 8.5 % respectively. The living goods and services, clothing, and food increased by 3.4%, 2.1%, and 2.0%. Supplies and services declined by 2.5%.

　　There are four highlights.

　　First: education and entertainment consumption, with a per capita expenditure of 917 yuan, continue to soar, growing by 20.5%.

　　Second: transportation expenditure surged. Along with an increase in family cars, the vehicle maintenance and fuel costs grew rapidly, and transportation expenditure rose accordingly. The per capita transportation expenditure reached 491 yuan for the first quarter, an increase of 14.8% over the same period of last year.

　　Third: housing cost rose rapidly. Urban residents spent more money on rent and house maintenance and management, which caused a surge in housing expenditures. Per capita housing expenditures was 1,119 yuan, an increase of 12.8%.

　　Fourth: health care expenditures rose by more than 30%, the highest among the eight major consumption categories. First-quarter per capita health care expenditure was 372 yuan, an increase of 34.2%.