PERSONAL CONSUMPTION MOVEMENT – CASE OF SELECTED EU MEMBERS

Personal consumption is the largest macroeconomic aggregate with a large impact on economic trends and a share of GDP of about 60%. The aim of this paper was to determine whether there are significant differences in the movement and structure of personal consumption in Croatia and the two new EU members - the Czech Republic and Romania and to establish patterns of changes in personal consumption in the named countries. The analysis confirmed a strong correlation between personal consumption and GDP, and this correlation is stronger in Romania, where the direction of these two rates of change almost coincides. The previous confirms personal consumption as an important category to be taken into account when adopting macroeconomic policies. The analysis, also, showed that the share of personal consumption in GDP is the smallest in the Czech Republic, suggesting that there are some other Czech economy drivers, primarily investment and net exports. Given that the Czech Republic and Croatia are small and open economies comparable to the level of development, and considering that the Czech economy growth is considerably higher than in Croatia, it can be concluded that the model of economic growth in the Czech Republic is better and more sustainable in the long run. The model of economic growth relying on personal consumption as a generator of aggregate demand is not a model that can ensure sustainable GDP growth in Croatia, especially in terms of population decrease. It is, therefore, necessary to provide a stimulating institutional framework for the growth of domestic and foreign investments and greater export orientation.