Are Cars Still Aspirational Purchases?

For many years, the car was always something people strove to own. The symbol of adulthood and freedom, and after a certain price point, one of the most tangible symbols of wealth and success. As data from the Statista Global Consumer Survey shows though, the car's status as an aspirational purchase may have diminished in some countries, especially in developed economies.

When comparing the responses for non-owners of cars, the share saying that they intend to purchase one in the future varies greatly around the world. In Nigeria, for example, the majority of people without a car would in fact like to have one at some point. In Japan, where 25 percent of respondents didn't have their own car, a mere 6 percent signified dissatisfaction with this situation. In countries such as Finland, the Netherlands and Germany too, it appears that for most people that don't have a car, this has been a conscious decision, rather than a situation borne out of necessity.

Brazil and South Africa join Nigeria with a majority of non-owners still aspiring to buy a car. Pakistan and India are other developing/emerging economies at the top of the ranking. The United States, well-known for its love affair with the automobile, finds its place around the middle of the pack with 33 percent.