Income and consumption pattern among inhabitants of rural communities of Ideato area of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was on income and consumption pattern among rural communities of Ideato Area of Imo State, Nigeria. The study identified and examined the sources of income, distribution, efficiency of income structure and items consumed as well as amount expended by the respondents. The data collected using questionnaire were analyzed using percentages, means and Gini coefficient. The field data showed that 25% of the respondents sourced income from a combination of trading and farming. Twenty percent earned income from employed jobs while 18% earned their income from trading alone. The Gini coefficients for the low, middle and high income classes were 0.33, 0.36 and 0.35 respectively. The income ratio between the low, middle and high income classes was 1:2:7. A greater percentage (88%) of the respondents income was used for consumption purposes.

Keywords: income and consumption pattern, rural communities, Ideato

Journal of Technology and Education in Nigeria Vol. 9(2) 2004: 25-29