Bahrain has officially launched a major investigation to help authorities develop an important economic and social plan.
According to the Information and e-Government Agency (iGA), the annual national survey will track domestic household income and expenditures.
The 2024 Household Income and Expenditure Survey covers a random sample of 6,000 households in the country.
This is being carried out under the direction of General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information, Communications and Technology.
Duaa Alharban, iGA’s Deputy Chief Executive for Statistics and Population Registration, said yesterday that the study will provide planners and decision makers with an important database on which to develop programs, as well as support the public and private sectors, researchers and investors. He said it will meet the requirements of the house.
It will last until December.
The purpose of statistical surveys is to measure the people’s standard of living by estimating average household income and expenditure.
It also helps identify the basket of items in the consumer price index, Alharban said.
A team of approximately 35 trained personnel will conduct the investigation. They were chosen based on their experience and communication skills, she said.
As part of the new approach, selected families will be contacted through a call center (17878070) to schedule a visit at a time that is convenient for them, facilitating better interaction and data accuracy, Alharban said. He said it can build stronger trust in the process.
Researchers will visit each household at least four times during the study period and fill out various forms on electronic tablets. This method aims to reduce errors and increase data accuracy and reliability. The form includes housing characteristics, income sources, spending on durable goods and services, and daily expense records, and is completed directly by families via an electronic link or paper form.
iGA conducted this study in 1974-1975, and the fifth time was conducted in 2014-2015. Confidentiality and privacy of data is ensured under the law, she said.
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