The shrinking size of the family worldwide will have an impact on spending, according to Euromonitor, particularly when it comes to discretionary items.
The family of the future is shrinking, with the average number of children per household dropping across both developed and emerging economies.
In 1980, there were 1.9 children per household, but by 2020, there will only be 1.0, while the average number of children born to each woman will drop to 2.8, compared with 4.5 in 1980. The biggest falls will be seen in the developing economies of Asia and Latin America.
“Changing family structures will have significant implications on household spending patterns,” said Euromonitor. “This family of the future will become an important consumer market segment, as these households will tend to consume more per person and have more room for discretionary spending.”