Publications

Consumption in Colombia mirrors demographic and geographic shifts. With smaller households, an aging population, and healthier choices, spending on health and fresh foods rises, while intermediate cities gain economic importance. However, low savings limit future consumption potential.

This week, BBVA Research published an analysis of private consumption in Colombia, covering topics from the impact of the pandemic to demographic trends shaping household spending. The report confirms that private consumption remains a fundamental pillar of the Colombian economy, with one of the highest GDP shares globally.

Private consumption balance between goods and services changed due to pandemic spending patterns, the subsequent recovery and the current slowdown. In addition, the new momentum of goods consumption since 2024 and the role of government spending are expected to change, again, the composition of household spending.

BBVA Research's big data consumption index for Peru (inflation-adjusted spending with cards and cash withdrawals) slowed down in December to 3.8% (November: 8.9%). In 2022 as a whole, the index registered growth of 8.4% (26.4% in 2021).

In December, spending with cards and cash withdrawals (BBVA Research's big data consumer index) increased 7.0% compared to the same month in 2019 (10.9% compared to December 2020).

Imports have been less affected by COVID-19 than expected. In the first half of the year, the adjustment shifted to goods produced within the country and, to a lesser extent, on purchases from the rest of the world. Similarly, during the recovery process, the momentum of imports is proving to be more moderate.

Industrial production (IPI) fulfilled its expectatives in January, and mantained the positive interannual trend in its most relevant components. In particular, the behavior of equipment and consumption goods -both durable and non-durable- stood out.