Survey for household income, expenditure

MUSCAT: The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) will start a survey for household expenditure and income from Wednesday.

It will continue for a year and would target a sample comprising 5,660 Omani and expatriate families in all governorates of the Sultanate.

The survey will cover expenses and income of each family in the sample for an entire month. It is aimed at providing socio-economic databases reflecting the reality of expenditure and consumption, as well as the income of a household.

The survey will include a comprehensive database about household expenditure and income, linking these data with various social, demographic and economic variables, such as geographical distribution, gender, educational level and the condition of economic activity.

From an economic perspective, the survey will provide data on household consumption, which are very important for national accounts. It will also give a required data for preparation of consumer price index.

The consumer price index measures the rate of inflation in the Sultanate, which is beneficial for preparation of economic policies.

From a social perspective, the survey provides data on the living conditions of the population and helps in determining their standards.

The survey data will be a qualitative leap in taking a closer look at the nutritional status of the Omani society, which is usually important to determine the health status of the society.

Most countries in the world carry out the household expenditure and income survey.

In view of the continuous changes in expenditure, consumption, and income patterns, this survey is carried out regularly. These countries tend to hold the survey once in five years.