Household consumption expenditure rose from R56 152 in 2005/2006 to about R95 183 in 2010/2011 – a nominal increase of 69.5%.
The figures are contained in the Income and Expenditure Survey 2010/2011, which was released on Tuesday.
It revealed that 32% of households' expenditure went to housing expenses, including water, electricity and other utilities, and averaged R30 505 annually. Transport was the second biggest expense among households at 17.1%, spending on average R16 319 a year.
Another 14.7% was spent on miscellaneous goods and services such as insurance and medical aid. Food and non-alcoholic beverages made up 12.8% of household expenditure, at an average of R12 200.
Average household income was R119 542 a year, an increase of 16.7% compared to the 2005/2005 survey. The income of households headed by men was up by 18.2% to R151 186 and those run by women by 13.5% to R70 830.
The average income for households headed by blacks was R69 632, while the average income for coloured-headed households was R139 190. Households headed by Indians had an average income of R252 742 a year, and those headed by whites R387 011.
The survey was conducted among 25 000 households in all nine provinces, and included rural and urban areas. It is conducted once every five years and used to update the Consumer Price Index basket.
The survey can be used to measure inequality. Respondents were asked to complete a diary for two weeks, and questionnaires. The last survey was conducted in 2005/2006.