Household Income and Expenditure Survey is one of the household sample field surveys conducted in the field of social statistics and provides data on income and expenditure patterns in society and the impact of demographic, social and economic factors on households.

    Objectives :

• Identify expenditure patterns in society and the impact of demographic, social and economic changes.

• Provide data on the income and expenditure of households according to their demographic and housing characteristics.

• Calculate the average annual income of the household and the individual and indicate its relationship to economic and social factors.
• Distribution of individuals and households according to income and expenditure categories.
• Identify the change in expenditure associated with the relative change in income.
• Provide detailed data on income and expenditure for the purpose of calculating poverty indicators.
• Provide data on the relative importance of goods in the consumer basket, which are used in preparing the cost-of-living index.
• Provide the necessary data for national accounts related to final consumption and income of the household sector.
• Support projects related to household income and expenditure (for example: social assistance, social development, household affairs) and any projects related to households.
• Prepare social indicators (SDGs indicators, human development indicators, and other international indicators).

Household Income:

The total cash and in-kind income collected from the incomes of all household members, male and female (regardless of age), from which the household can spend on various expenditures or save it.

Include:

• Salaries and wages.

• Freelance work income.

• Rental income.

• Property income.

• Other income from transfers.

Household expenditure:

The value of what all household members spend during the reference period in exchange for (consumptive and non-consumptive goods and services), whether this expenditure is related to the household, for example, expenditure on food, housing, electricity, or the acquisition of durable goods, or what is related to the expenditures of its members such as expenditure on clothes or personal items, and so on.

Consumption expenditure :

Household expenditure after excluding non-consumer expenditure such as expenditure on purchasing buildings and land, mortgage installments, marriage dowry, advances and gifts given to others, dependents’ transfers, and others.

What does household income and expenditure survey measure?

The household income and expenditure survey aims to measure the types of household income and expenditure in Saudi Arabia, and identify the impact of demographic, social and economic changes.

What does the point of purchase mean?

Place or type of establishment from which the household usually purchases food, durable and non-durable goods.

If the household consumed a meal prepared outside of the home/dwelling, where is the value of expenditure recorded?

Food prepared outside of the home/dwelling. All expenditures are recorded on food prepared outside of the home/dwelling.

Why is the time reference not unified in aspects of expenditure (daily, monthly, 3 months, and 12 months)?

Because expenditure on some goods is daily, and on other goods is monthly, annually, quarterly, or semi-annual, according to the household consumption of goods or services.

In expenditure outside of the home/dwelling, what does “expenditure in places where services are provided by limited and self-service facilities” mean?

It means that the individual spent the amount in places that provide limited service or self-service, without waiter service or seating. Examples include self-service restaurants, food stalls, fast food carts, etc.

What is the difference between the rent of agricultural land and dry land?

Agricultural land is the land used for agricultural products, livestock, or plants, while dry land is the land that is rented for investment and exploitation of its natural resources (such as groundwater).

Are the questionnaire data completed from one household visit?

The questionnaire cannot be completed from a single visit, rather it is completed over several visits, due to the difference in the time reference for the questionnaire, which is 14 days from the first visit to the household.

How to answer the economic activity question if the economic activity is not available in the drop-down list?

The economic activity is selected according to the main activity practiced by the entity the individual works at.

What does the household income include?

The total cash and in-kind income collected from the incomes of all household members, male and female (regardless of age), from which the household can spend on various expenditures or save it.

Sources of income:

work income: Salaries and wages (cash and in-kind), and freelance work income.

Non-work income: Real estate rental, property income, transfers, or other sources of income.

What does total net income mean?

Net income is the value of total output minus operating costs. Profits are achieved when the proceeds are greater than operating expenses, while the loss occurs when the operating expenses are greater than the proceeds, and the value of net income is during the past 12 months.

What is a monthly wage? 

A wage that a person receives in return for his work on a monthly basis. It is the main source of income for the household, and is recorded monthly.

What is the additional source of income?

Other financial incomes that are derived from activities other than job, such as: (rents, ownership, and transfers) and are recorded annually.

What does it mean by durable goods owned by the household?

Basic commodities that the household owns, which are necessary to achieve its well-being. They can be used for a long period of time, such as (TV, refrigerator, and washing machine).

What is meant by household daily food consumption expenditure?

The value of the daily food commodities bought by households. The value of the purchased commodities and their quantity are recorded according to the unit of measurement (for example, when buying a kilo of vegetables, the purchase value and the unit of measurement must be recorded).

What does public spending mean?

It is what the household spends on buying non-food items such as: (detergents, clothes, and medicines).

What do we mean by purchase points in the household income and expenditure survey’s questionnaire?

Centers or shops for buying necessities needed by the household such as food, commodities, and the like.

Data privacy, safety, and security :

The General Authority for Statistics places the confidentiality of the data collected and processed at the top of the priority list, in accordance with the kingdom’s Law of National Statistics, issued by Royal Decree No.: (23) dated 7/12/1379 AH, as well as in accordance with international standards. GASTAT implements surveys and censuses, conducts studies and researches, analyzes and documents data and information for development purposes and strategic planning.

Purpose of privacy notice :

The Privacy Notice was prepared to understand how the personal data collected are handled and to understand the purpose of the data collection and processing. It is necessary for you to be aware of how GASTAT uses your personal data, and your rights regarding the processing of your personal data, in accordance with the relevant regulations and legislation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Responsibility :

The data provider must constantly review the “Privacy Notice” to ensure if there are any updates to it, bearing in mind that GASTAT is not obligated and required to announce any updates made to this notice. Providing you with the data signifies your acceptance of its accuracy and your knowledge of it.

What are the collected personal data?

Various types of personal data and information is collected, which cover all aspects of life in the Kingdom: (demographic, social, economic, environmental, and cultural), including but not limited to:

Full name, age/date of birth, sex, address, contact information (e.g.: email address and phone numbers), ID number, marital status, current job information, previous job information, information about dependents/spouse//family.

How are the personal data collected?

Personal data is collected and obtained "directly or indirectly", through the use of various methods, and may include:

•        Direct methods of obtaining personal data:

1. Field visit to the household or establishment by GASTAT employees or representatives.
2. A phone call by GASTAT employees through the Statistical phone # (920020018).
3. Self-enumeration for individuals and establishments through GASTAT website.

• Indirect methods of obtaining personal data:

1. Cookies data, Cookies collect data on how you use GASTAT website, including the date and time of your visit, and the type of the Internet browser you use.

Why does GASTAT collect and use personal data?

Through collecting data, GASTAT aims to produce official statistics that serve the public interest. This means that any personal data collected, whether about the same person or on behalf of another person, will be used for statistical purposes and to produce official statistics.

Does GASTAT share personal data?

No, as GASTAT is committed to maintaining the privacy of personal data for all residents of the Kingdom and does not publish it. GASTAT follows the data sharing controls approved by the regulatory entities as well. It is also committed to applying strict and firm measures for data confidentiality and non-disclosure.

Data collection date for Household Income and Expenditure Survey :

Start: 20/03/2023 - 28/08/1444 H
End:  26/02/2024 - 17/08/1445 H

https://fesurvey.stats.gov.sa/family

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