consumptiegoed

Consumptiegoed is a term in Dutch economics that refers to goods intended for final consumption by households. It contrasts with investeringsgoederen or kapitaalgoederen, which are used to produce other goods or services and generate income over time. In national accounts, expenditures on consumptiegoed are counted as private consumption (consumptie) and form the consumption component of GDP.

Consumptiegoed can be categorized into durable and non-durable goods. Non-durable consumptiegoed are goods consumed quickly or used up within a short period, such as food, beverages, personal care items, and other everyday necessities. Durable consumptiegoed are goods with longer lifespans that provide utility over several years, such as appliances, furniture, electronics, and vehicles. Some items, like clothing, may be considered either non-durable or semi-durable depending on usage and definition.

The concept is used to distinguish household purchases from investments in productive capacity. Capital goods or investeringsgoederen are goods that contribute to future production, such as machinery, buildings, and equipment used by businesses. This distinction helps analysts understand how spending supports current living standards (consumptie) versus long-term growth (investeringen).

Examples of consumptiegoed include groceries, household appliances, clothing, and consumer electronics. In Dutch usage, consumptiegoed is singular, with consumptiegoederen serving as the plural form in common practice. Related terms include consumptie, kapitaalgoed, and investeringsgoed.