The Tribune

THE Department of Statistics has announced that beginning immediately, its officers will be conducting a nationwide Household Expenditure Survey.

This survey, to be held in conjunction with the Department of Social Services, is designed to gather, study and analyse information on the expenditure patterns of residents of the Bahamas and obtain information on their relative level of well-being, especially in the case of the poor.

The HES has two main objectives:

• Collect information from households and families on their buying habits, income and other characteristics

• Allow data users to relate the expenditures and income to the characteristics of those same consumers

The survey is expected to provide weights for the Consumer Price Index, which measures the changes in the prices of goods and services bought by households; as well as estimates on private consumption in National Accounts, which provides input for the compilation of National Accounts for the Department of Statistics.

It is also expected to provide data for poverty studies and welfare comparisons.

Analysis of this data facilitates measurement of differences in the consumption patterns of different population groups and related changes over time.

It also allows for the calculation of the poverty line of the country.

The survey is also expected to garner data for better economic and social planning, along with information to assess the cost of health services and the level of satisfaction of the population with its provisions.

Data collected will also be used for international comparisons by such agencies as the United Nations (UN), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Bank.

The Household Expenditure Survey is being conducted February 11 to March 31.

More than 2,000 households will be surveyed with all of the major islands being included in the exercise.

Approximately 350 households from Grand Bahama and more than 150 households from Abaco and Bimini have been randomly selected.

Any questions and/or concerns can be directed to the Department of Statistics, 352-7196. The contact persons are Clara Lowe, assistant director; Tonya Butler, execution officer; and Kendra Russell, area manager.