A Fragile Hold on Consumption: Consumption and the New Middle Class in Colombia

Abstract

This paper explores consumption patterns, access to banking services, attitudes to government and aspirations of the growing and vulnerable middle class in the global South. Data comes from a population survey conducted in 2016 in Cali, Colombia. We compare middle income and lower income populations in order to establish differences and similarities. We aim to answer a basic question. What are the patterns of consumption for this new middle class and how does it compare with lower income groups? Generally speaking, we find that despite the marked differences in income levels the middle class and the poor population share similar goals and attitudes and inhabit the same urban realm.