Determinants of Household Consumption Expenditure of Beedi Workers in West Bengal, India

Abstract

This study examines consumption patterns and the key factors influencing the consumption expenditure of beedi worker households in the Murshidabad District of West Bengal. For the present study, 50 sample households of beedi workers have been randomly selected with the help of the Simple Random Sampling Without Replacement Method (SRSWOR). Data collection was done through a pretested questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, including means and standard deviations, was employed to summarise demographic and economic data, while multiple linear regression was used to identify factors affecting consumption. The results show that family size and disposable income significantly increase household consumption, while savings reduce it. Age and education levels of household heads do not significantly impact expenditure. Household spending is predominantly allocated to food and healthcare, which together constitute over 70 per cent of the total expenditure. The regression model explains 65.7 per cent of the variance in household consumption, with disposable income, saving, and family size being the primary drivers. In conclusion, larger households and higher incomes drive higher consumption, while increased savings reduce spending.