Differences in household consumptions in Italy: A multidimensional approach.

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to study the consumption of Italian households by analysing real data, such as the Household Budget Survey provided by ISTAT (EUROSTAT, 2017). The analysis of consumption data is of primary importance as it reflects the real welfare condition of households, given that the dynamics of saving and dissaving can be used to maintain a more constant standard of living. In addition, consumption data also convey information on the preferences of households among different categories of commodities. In a capability approach, such information can be used to define the relevant functioning which allow individuals to achieve the kind of life they have reason to value (Hall, 1978, Micocci, 2018). Through multidimensional statistical indicators and adequate statistical models, this thesis aims to study the influence on family consumption of geographical residence and social factors (e.g. the level of education and the gender of the reference person or the family economic situation). Comparisons will be made in order to emphasise differences and similarities.