(Yicai Global) Oct. 23 -- Shanghai had the highest per-capita household consumption among China's provinces, autonomous regions and centrally controlled municipalities in the first three quarters, Economic View reported today.

Residents in the eastern metropolis spent an average CNY33,557 (USD4,742) on daily living during the period, besting the capital's CNY31,542, the report said, citing data published by the National Bureau of Statistics on Oct. 21. The two cities were the only regions to top the CNY30,000 milestone.

Nine areas in total beat the national average of CNY15,464, with Tianjin, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Fujian, Liaoning and Hubei accompanying the top two ahead of the mean. The average was up 8.3 percent nominally on the year, or 5.7 percent after deducting the price factor.

The data considered household consumption expenditure as daily living expenses, such as food, tobacco and alcohol; clothing; housing; household goods and services; transport; communication; education, culture and recreation; healthcare; and other goods and services.

Residents across the country spent most on food, tobacco and alcohol -- about CNY4,310 -- followed by housing at CNY3,607. Per-capita expenditure on education, culture and recreation grew the fastest among major categories, 13.5 percent, to reach CNY1,766.

There was huge growth in service consumption during the first three quarters, said Fang Xiaodan, director of the NBS's household survey office. Some of the top gainers in the service sector included tickets to tourist destinations, where per-capita expenditure rose 31.5 percent, hotel accommodation, which saw 20.1 percent jump, and takeout deliveries, where the figure rose 15.6 percent.

Faster internet speeds and lower tariffs led to a 2.1 percent decline on mobile phone and internet charges.

Editor: James Boynton