The per capita consumer expenditure of Beijing residents rose 9.4 percent year-on-year to 8,581 yuan (1,058 US dollars) in the first eight months of this year, according to the municipal statistics bureau.

The actual growth rate was 7.6 percent allowing for price rises, the bureau said in its latest survey report.

According to the report, 31.3 percent of the consumer expenditure went to the service sector, which increased by 7.9 percent per capita to 2,683.8 yuan.

During the January-August period, the per capita spending of Beijing residents on electricity stood at 165.2 yuan, down by 4.2 percent year-on-year.

The per capita spending on vehicle fuel and accessories reached 84.4 yuan, up 23.9 percent year-on-year, while the spending on transportation rose 20.5 percent year-on-year to 84.5 yuan.

On average, Beijing residents paid 405.1 yuan for cultural activities and entertainment, up 13.2 percent year-on-year, and spent 618.9 yuan on housing, down by 5 percent.

According to the bureau, the total expenditure of urban residents in Beijing in August was 1,514 yuan, up 14.8 year-on-year. The monthly per capita spending increased 7.9 percent to 1,215.6 yuan.

Source: Xinhua