This statistic shows the U.S. self-reported consumer spending on a monthly basis for the ongoing year. The survey is conducted through daily telephone interviews among approximately 30,000 adults per month in the U.S. The graph shows the 30-day average for each month to depict an annual trend. In August 2016, the average daily spending of Americans amounted to 91 U.S. dollars.
U.S. consumer spending
The presented data on consumer spending is based on self-reported spending of the interview partners on the day before the survey was conducted, excluding the purchase of a home, motor vehicles or normal household bills.
Consumer spending is considered a major short-term economic indicator and is often connected to developments in the Consumer Price Index and inflation.
Besides the Gallup tracking poll, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes monthly data on Personal Consumption Expenditures. for all American Households, containing durable and non-durable goods and services targeted at individuals and consumed by individuals.
Additional information on consumer behavior, aside from direct spending data, is available via various consumer sentiment or confidence indices:
The University of Michigan produces the Consumer Sentiment Index, which is designed to estimate consumer attitudes toward the overall business climate, consumer spending and the state of personal finances.
The Conference Board, a non-profit business group, produces the Consumer Confidence Index, which is designed to assess the overall confidence, spending power and relative financial health of the average U.S. customer.
