The article presents information on a study that investigated the changes in spending patterns in the Netherlands in the period 1980-1990 by taking in view the data from the Central Bureau of Statistics. In order to mutually compare size and composition, households were standardized by applying an equivalent factor, which is a quotient of income which that is necessary for a household to reach a certain prosperity level. According to the study findings, the average household became much smaller during the period and there was a strong increase in the number of single person households. Another trends that were noticed included spending pattern changes in self grooming and entertainment spending; medical costs; transportation expenditure; clothing and footwear spending etc.
