CONSUMPTION of just about everything has rocketed in Bermuda over the last three years, according to new information released by the Department of Statistics.

Bermuda Facts & Figures 2005 shows that annual consumer spending in 2004 was $84 million more than it was in 2002, with increases across the board.

Over the same time period, electricity consumption also increased dramatically, and the number of vehicles on the road went up by nearly 3,000 to a total of just under 50,000.

The booklet includes a range of economic and demographic figures, on sectors including finance, shopping, employment and tourist arrivals, drawn from various surveys and reports.

Total consumer spending was $1,825.9 million in 2003/04, compared with $1,741.5 million in 2002. We spent $296.3 million on food, beverages and tobacco and $468.1 million on housing, light and power.

The amount of cash in our commercial banks climbed an amazing 66 per cent between 2002 and 2004, up to $387 million in 2004, while the amount owed in loans also rose from $4,153 million in 2002 to $5,498 million two years later.

There were a total of 38,363 jobs held last year, 1,548 more than in 2002. The main growth areas were construction, international business and public administration.

One of the notable rises in consumption concerned electricity. In 2002, we used 574.7 million kilowatt hours (kWh), which rose to $594.9 million kWh two years later.

Linda Smith, a spokeswoman for electricity generating company Belco, said: "A lot of this increase in demand has been due to residential air conditioning. Many new condominium developments have central air conditioning systems.

"Our expectations are for the growth in demand to continue, given the construction of new housing units and office buildings that's going on. If the island is going to continue to grow, then it follows that the demand for electricity will also grow."

Ms Smith added that the company's plans to meet increasing demand would be outlined in a 20-year plan that was under preparation. She said more would be revealed about that in the New Year.

l Bermuda Facts & Figures 2005 is available to the public, free of charge, from the Visitor Service Bureau, the Bermuda National Library, the Department of Communication & Information, the Department of Tourism, the main Hamilton Post Office and the Department of Statistics.