Gender Difference in Household Consumption: Some Convergence over Three Decades

The cost-of-living crisis has increased attention on consumption and how it differs for
particular societal groups. There is much theoretical evidence that consumption patterns
of men and women should differ, but the empirical evidence is scant, due in part to
the availability of individual-level consumption data. This paper tackles the question of
consumption differentials between men and women over nearly three decades in Ireland.
Using harmonised survey data, we show how patterns of consumption of male- and
female-headed households have changed over this period of significant economic turmoil
and growth