Consumer spending still lagging in Rhode Island since end of recession

Consumer spending in Rhode Island has rebounded from where it was in the depths of the Great Recession, but new numbers released by the federal government show the state still lags behind New England and the nation.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data released Thursday estimate consumer spending on a variety of goods and services.

Per-capita spending in Rhode Island grew 9 percent between 2009 and 2012, lowest in New England and lower than the national growth rate of 10.7 percent.

Consumer spending was $36,974 per capita in Rhode Island, also lowest in New England.

The numbers show Rhode Islanders spent less than other New Englanders in 2012 on food and gas. Per capita housing costs were lower than most of the Northeast, though higher than nationally.