economy
May 3, 2026
Household spending in Colombia is shifting towards entertainment and experiences amidst uncertainty
For now, the trend of new households in the country is positive. Photo: Image generated with Artificial Intelligence.
TL;DR
- Colombian household spending is shifting towards entertainment and experiences, with categories like appliances and furniture gaining share.
- Traditional spending areas such as communications and mass household consumption are losing participation.
- Economic uncertainty, inflation, and high interest rates are influencing household spending decisions.
- February saw a spending rebound potentially linked to minimum wage increases and a strong labor market, but March showed moderation due to inflationary pressures.
- Overall consumption growth is projected to slow from 3.3% in 2025 to 2.3% in the first half of 2026.
- Generational differences impact consumption, with younger generations showing slower recovery and older generations exhibiting more stable spending.
- Higher-income households are containing spending due to rising inflation in services, which form a larger part of their expenses.