Understanding the inter-generational consumption patterns in south east Queensland

The purpose of this paper is to examine the inter-generational differences in the consumption patterns in South East Queensland a 'sun belt' region that typically characterises an urban and consumption-oriented lifestyle. Using the SEQ Quality of Life Survey data, the characteristics of consumption has been measured using a range of behavioural items that reflect the lifestyle choices the survey participants have made. These survey items were factorised to determine the underlying structures that largely explain the consumption patterns. Participants were categorised into one of the generational cohorts and their consumption patterns were differentiated using a discriminant function analysis. The evidence from this study suggests that there exist little difference among all the generations in the consumption of public/common goods in the SEQ region except for the GenY. The study findings also suggest that the 'new leisure' is the most discriminating component among others that differentiate consumption patterns across generations.