Field statisticians from the Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) will be conducting interviews in selected enumeration districts across Barbados for its Household Budget Survey from this month.

The survey, which had been conducted by the BSS in ten year intervals since 1988, is a comprehensive sample of private households for the purpose of collecting data on their income and consumption expenditure.

It will be conducted over a 12 month period to allow the statisticians to adequately gauge the spending patterns of householders.

The main objectives of the inquiry are: to obtain basic information for a revision of the Retail Price Index in order to determine the list of items to be included in a new basket of consumer goods and services; revising the ‘weights’ (relative value) of all items in the basket which are required for the computation of the index; and reviewing the outlets to be canvassed for the collection of price quotation on the items to be included in the Index. As part of the exercise, the respondents should keep a detailed diary of their expenses over a two week period. 

At the end of the investigation, the data collected would provide an independent source of information to estimate and improve the figures on private final consumption expenditure, as required for a more comprehensive estimation of the Gross Domestic Product and other national accounting aggregates.

The BSS will collect information from a different sample each quarter. The four samples selected will be chosen from the same geographic region. The samples will be randomly selected throughout the island by the department.

Further information on the sample may be obtained by calling the BSS at telephone number 427-6009, fax number 435-2198 or by e-mail barstats@caribsurf.com or by viewing the website www.barstats.gov.bb.

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