As per directives of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information Communications and Technology (MCICT), the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2024 has been officially launched.
The announcement was made by Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) Deputy Chief Executive of Statistics and Population Registry, Duaa Alharban, who said that the survey will run from January to December 2024.
Alharban explained that this national survey aims to gather data from a random sample of around 6,000 households, both Bahraini and non-Bahraini, across all the Kingdom’s governorates. Approximately 35 field researchers, who were carefully selected and have undergone extensive training, are conducting the survey.
She said that the survey’s primary objectives are to understand household expenditures on goods, identify the most commonly used goods and services contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and observe the price changes of these goods, which reflect inflation rates and directly influence bank interest rates. The survey also supports the development of governmental economic, social, and environmental policies and programs.
She discussed the anticipated impact and desired outcomes of the survey, underscoring its role in improving government operations, enhancing the livelihoods of individuals and communities, and enabling government bodies to make informed decisions and develop aligned strategies and initiatives for both Bahraini and non-Bahraini families and to bolster social programs.
Alharban said that as part of a new approach, selected families will be contacted via the call center (17878070) for the visits to be scheduled at convenient times, facilitating better interaction and data accuracy, and building stronger trust in the process.
Researchers will conduct at least four visits to each household during the survey period to complete various forms on electronic tablets. This method aims to reduce errors and ensure greater data accuracy and reliability. The forms cover housing characteristics, income sources, expenditures on durable goods and services, and a daily expense record, which families will fill out directly via an electronic link or paper form.
Following the data collection, field supervisors will review the completed forms, which will then be analyzed by a specialized team to reveal indicators such as average family income, expenditures, and size, all of which are crucial for policy and planning.
Alharban expressed gratitude to all government and private entities supporting the survey. She urged Bahraini and non-Bahraini families to cooperate to ensure the survey’s success, pledging the highest standards of confidentiality and data security.
The iGA has been conducting this survey since 1974-1975, with the fifth one carried out in 2014-2015.
Alharban thanked the families that participated in the pilot survey, which contributed to the refinement of the survey tools. She looks forward to a survey that successfully helps to shape government policies and programs.
BNA(R)
