The Income and Expenditure Survey 2010/11 (IES) being conducted by Statistics South Africa, has reached the halfway stage with 12 430 households visited so far. The survey is conducted every five years to gather information about the spending patterns of people living in South Africa. The data is used to update the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket of goods and services.
Teams of fieldworkers have been collecting data since the survey kicked off in August 2010. Of the 12 430 households visited, 91 percent have participated in the survey.
“We appreciate the good response from the selected households so far,” says Miss Nozipho Shabalala, acting Executive Manager of the Household Budget Statistics Division. “We are very happy with the support and hope that it will continue for the remainder of the survey. This will ensure that good quality data is collected.”
About 33 000 households forms part of the sample for the survey. The households where scientifically selected in such a way that it is representative of the whole country and its population.
The survey consists of a household questionnaire as well as two sets of weekly diaries. The questionnaire is divided into four modules which cover information ranging from the composition of the household to acquisitions made.
The households are also asked to keep track of weekly spending by keeping a diary for two consecutive weeks. This is done in order to get an accurate picture of households’ spending patterns.
Although the survey has been primarily designed to provide the necessary data to update the CPI basket of goods and services, the information gathered also provide useful insight into income and expenditure patterns of households in South Africa that will inform government planning, monitoring and assessment of programmes and policies. It will also be used by businesses, academia and other organisations, both domestic and international.
The CPI basket of goods and services is a list of goods and services that are most bought and paid for by people living in South Africa. The updating of the basket of goods and services ensures that the most relevant information is used to measure inflation in the country.
The survey, that ends in September this year, is not exclusively for South Africans. Even foreigners living and working in South Africa can be selected to participate.
The success of the survey depends on the participation of the selected households and the quality of the information provided by those households to the interviewers.
Statistics South Africa is committed to keeping all information collected confidential. All Stats SA employees are legally bound by section 17 of the Statistics Act (Act No. 6 of 1999) to keep all information obtained confidential. Any employee who contravenes this Act could face a fine of R10 000 and/or six months' imprisonment.
Results of the survey will be released in 2012.
Officials can be verified by a Stats SA identity card indicating the officials name and identity number. Provincial offices can also be contacted to verify field workers.
For more information please visit www.statssa.gov.za/ies or e-mail ies@statssa.gov.za
Source: Statistics South Africa
