Sizzling summer stats to mark warmer months

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MEDIA RELEASE
1 December 2017
Embargo: 11:30 am (Canberra Time)

Sizzling summer stats to mark warmer months
158/2017

The first of December marks the start of a season of sunshine, swimming, sunscreen and sand for many in Australia. But, what do our statistics tell us about what we get up to?

“The ABS produces information on what we eat, major milestones in our lives and where we holiday,” Michelle Marquardt, Program Manager for Household Surveys, said.

“Approaching Christmas sees many people indulge in food, drink and festivities. The Household Expenditure Survey shows that almost $130 a year is spent on fresh fish and seafood and almost $30 a year on Christmas decorations. Almost $150 is spent on ice-cream and $600 on beer.

“The warmer months also mean many people venture into the great outdoors, or enjoy the backyard a bit more. Households spend an average of $34 a year on camping equipment, just over $50 on outdoor furniture and $13 a year on bottled gas for the BBQ.”

The school summer holidays also see many people travelling including to overseas destinations.

“Our expenditure data shows that on average, Australian households spend $4000 a year on domestic and international holidays with $1,630 the average spend on domestic holidays and $2,371 on international holidays,” Ms Marquardt said.

“The ABS Overseas Arrivals and Departures data tells us about favourite overseas travel destinations."

“Last December the most popular overseas short-term travel destinations for Australians were New Zealand, the USA and Indonesia, with around 47,800 Australians departing on Christmas Day itself.”

Many Aussies take their holidays domestically each year with households spending on average over a year of $454 on holiday airfares, $94 on holiday petrol, $81 on holiday homes, and $81 on caravan parks or the hire of a caravan.

Someone has to work so all the holidaying and fun through summer can happen, though. There are 4,390 Australians working as their main occupation as lifeguards. Thanks to all the lifeguards and also to those that work in the lead up to Christmas to help put great food and toys on our Christmas table including 13,481 Posties, 1,583 Toymakers, 5,721 lolly and chocolate makers, 2,605 poultry farmers and 390 prawn fishers, according to the 2016 Census.

Here’s a summary of some of the average lifestyle spend for Australian households:

On average each year, Australian households spend:
· $128 on fresh fish and seafood.
· $99 on fresh tropical fruit (excluding bananas).
· $68 on sausages.
· $27 on Christmas decorations.
· $9 on sunscreen.
· $26 on fishing equipment.
· $13 on bottled gas for BBQs.
· $144 on ice confectionary, like ice cream
· $600 on beer
· $491 on wine
· $53 on outdoor and garden furniture.
· $34 on camping equipment.
(Source: Household Expenditure Survey, Australia: Summary of results, 2015-16. Cat. no. 6530.0)

Media notes:
· When reporting ABS data, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) must be attributed as the source.
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