In a memorable scene from the classic Charles Dickens novel of the same name set in a parish workhouse, Oliver Twist asks for “some more” soup, only to be cruelly rebuffed.
Had Oliver lived in Pakistan, he would have asked for the soup with a helping of sugar, based on consumption expenditure data compiled by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS).
Someone richer than Oliver would ask for meat and chicken, not soup, as according to the FBS, “The average individual expenditure for the richest class in urban areas is more than four-and-a-half times than the poor class”.
In rural areas, the richest individuals spend three-and-a-half-times more than the poorest.
While wheat, milk, mutton and poultry dominate monthly expenditure on food, sugar remains a priority, a fact that bothers philanthropists like Abdul Sattar Edhi who see this as a sign of wastage.
Sugar makes up 9% of the average monthly expenditure on food. For the richer class - who spend over Rs6,000 every month - sugar makes up 7% of the grocery bill.
Individuals from this class also spend less on cereals, pulses and vegetables, since they can afford to buy meat. They also spend Rs658 on dairy products every month, compared to a poorer person who can only spend Rs98.35.
The gap between expenditure groups is evident from the data.
For example, people from this class spend nearly double on tea than those who spend Rs3,000 every month.
On average, dairy products make up 24% and cereals 19% of the monthly expenditure on food in Pakistan.
It is assumed that the ‘average individual’ belongs to a household of six people and spends around Rs3,000 per month on all expenditure items.
Food makes up the largest share of average monthly per capita expenditure on food items, followed by housing, miscellaneous items and fuel.
According to the FBS’ report, “While the share of food expenditure is relatively high as compared to all other commodity groups at Pakistan level, it has increased significantly over the period from 2007-2008 to 2010-2011 from 44.22% to 48.91%.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2011.
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