Abstract

This research analyses the socio-economic changes in household consumption expenditure in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, over the pre-pandemic (2019), pandemic (2020), and post-pandemic (2021) phases. It examines the influence of income, education, occupation, household size, age, and gender on disparities in expenditures related to health, tobacco, and alcohol.

The study uses secondary data from published sources, employing descriptive statistics and regression analysis to assess the influence of socio-economic and demographic variables on purchasing patterns. The comparison from year to year reveals how the pandemic has impacted what individuals care about in their homes.

The data demonstrate that people stopped buying goods they didn’t need during the pandemic and started buying things they did need for their health. Things started to return back to normal after 2020, although people still didn’t smoke or drink as much. Income, occupation, and education were acknowledged as critical factors affecting household recovery and expenditure choices.

The study exclusively utilises secondary data from Coimbatore, perhaps overlooking micro-level fluctuations and behavioural aspects of consumption. Nonetheless, it provides significant insights for the development of evidence-based urban policy and focused welfare measures.

This report offers one of the first district-level examinations of the evolving household expenditure patterns in Coimbatore during the COVID-19 epidemic. It gives real-world proof that socio-economic aspects are related to post-pandemic consumption recovery, which helps India’s developing cities plan for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Keywords: Household consumption expenditure, socio-economic determinants, COVID-19, pandemic, Resilience, Coimbatore

Citation of this paper:

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