Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), has announced the commencement of a pilot survey for the 2024 Household Income and Expenditure Survey. This survey will span from November 26 to December 21.
The survey aims to collect data from a random sampling of 100 Bahraini and non-Bahraini families across all governorates of the Kingdom. Al Qaed emphasized that the 2024 survey is part of the government's ongoing efforts, directed by General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Interior Minister and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information & Communication Technology (MCICT). The objective is to conduct national surveys and studies to provide accurate and credible data for decision-makers and government entities.
The gathered findings will play a crucial role in formulating plans, strategies, and policies contributing to the comprehensive development of the Kingdom. Al Qaed highlighted the survey's role in measuring living standards, identifying spending patterns, and understanding demographic and economic factors affecting families.
In a significant shift from traditional methods, researchers selected by iGA will collect data through three electronic forms, covering various aspects such as households, individuals, income sources, and expenditures on commodities and services. Al Qaed stressed that the main objectives include estimating median incomes, updating the basket of goods for inflation calculations, developing government programs, improving living conditions, meeting citizens' needs, and gathering essential data for social aid initiatives.
Al Qaed encouraged both Bahraini and non-Bahraini families to actively participate in the survey to ensure its success. Field researchers will present their IDs during visits, providing an overview of the survey's goals and importance. Al Qaed assured the utmost confidentiality in data collection, which will be published as aggregates to prevent the identification of survey subjects.
The iGA has a longstanding history of conducting Household Income and Expenditure Surveys, with the first survey dating back to 1974-1975. Subsequent surveys were conducted in 1983-1984, 1994-1995, 2005-2006, and 2014-2015.