Consumer spending in Nevada rose to its highest level in five years in 2012 but continued to lag far behind the national average, according to a new report showing a wide discrepancy in economic recovery from the recession across the country.
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Personal consumption expenditures jumped 28% in North Dakota from 2010 through 2012, the largest gain nationwide.
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By contrast, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis study released Thursday says spending rose a scant 3.5% in Nevada, the weakest for any state and far below the 10.7% national average.
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Consumer spending in Nevada doubled from $40 billion in 1999 to $80 billion in 2007. But it fell off to $77 billion in 2009 before slowly climbing again the next three years to a peak of $81 billion in 2012.  (AP)
