In the second quarter of 2012, the gross saving rate of households in the EU27 was 11.0%, stable compared with the first quarter of 2012. In the euro area6, the household saving rate was 12.9%, compared with 13.1% in the previous quarter.
Household investment rate remained at low levels in both zones
In the EU27, the gross investment rate of households was 8.1% in the second quarter of 2012, compared with 8.2% in the first quarter of 2012. In the euro area, the household investment rate was 8.8%, compared with 9.0% in the previous quarter.
In the euro area, in nominal terms, household income fell by 0.2% in the second quarter of 2012, while consumption remained unchanged and investment (gross fixed capital formation, mostly in dwellings) dropped by 1.5%
In the euro area, in nominal terms, the decrease in household income (-0.2%) was due to the negative contributions of wages8 (-0.1 percentage point), taxes (-0.1pp), and gross operating surplus / mixed income(-0.1pp), while social benefits contributed positively (+0.1pp).
Household real income per capita down in the euro area
In the euro area, in real terms, household income per capita fell (-0.5%) in the second quarter of 2012, due to a drop in nominal income (-0.2%), while prices (+0.3%) rose. Household real consumption per capita decreased (-0.3%).
