People in urban Delhi spend about 37 per cent of their monthly income on food articles.

Milk products have emerged the favourite.

According to the Delhi government's 'Household Consumer Expenditure' report, the monthly per capita expenditure of the urban population has increased from Rs 1,972 in 2007 to Rs 2,078 in 2008. This topped all the states and union territories. The national urban monthly per capita expenditure is Rs 1,472.

The report was released on Monday by state finance minister AK Walia. It said about nine per cent of the total monthly per capita expenditure was spent on fuel, six per cent on clothing, eight per cent on education, three per cent on medical expenses, six per cent on house rent and one per cent on tobacco products.

It said people in urban areas spend 37 per cent of their monthly income on food items and the the remaining 63 per cent is spent on non- food items.

The break-up of the food expenditure reveals that 10 per cent of the income is spent on milk and milk products, eight per cent on cereals and pulses, two per cent on edible oils, four per cent on vegetables and two per cent on fruits etc.

The report added that the monthly per capita expenditure of 46 per cent of the total households in Delhi varies from Rs 1,001 to Rs 2,000 followed by 12 per cent in the range of Rs 2,001- 2,500 and 29 per cent in the range of Rs 2,501 and above.

The per capita monthly expenditure in Delhi on food is lower than the national average (urban area) of 40 per cent.