Bahrain’s Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) has initiated a significant household survey that will help contribute to the comprehensive development of Bahrain.
The pilot survey of the 2024 Household Income and Expenditure Survey, scheduled to be conducted from November 26 to December 21, aims to capture crucial data by targeting a random sampling of 100 Bahraini and non-Bahraini families across all governorates in the kingdom.
The primary objective of this nationwide initiative is to implement national surveys and studies that will yield accurate and credible data, specifically tailored to support decision-makers and government entities. The data obtained from this survey will play a pivotal role in formulating plans, strategies, and policies that contribute to the comprehensive development of Bahrain.
iGA chief executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed announced the launch of the survey.
“The 2024 survey is being conducted with the follow-up of the government and under the directives of the Interior Minister and the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT) chairman General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa,” said Mr Al Qaed.
“The aim is to implement national surveys and studies aimed at providing accurate and credible data for decision-makers and government entities. The findings will be used to formulate plans, strategies, and policies that contribute to the kingdom’s comprehensive development.”
Mr Al Qaed highlighted the periodic survey’s role in measuring the living standards of Bahrain’s citizens and residents and identifying social spending patterns, as well as demographic and economic factors influencing families.
The researchers selected by the iGA will conduct the pilot survey by collecting data from three electronic forms, a major transformation from previous methods, which used paper forms. The eForms cover items related to households, individuals, income sources, and expenditures on commodities and services, including a daily record of family expenditures.
“The survey’s main objectives are to estimate the median income of families and individuals and their annual expenditures, update the basket of goods used for inflation accounting, develop economic, social, and environmental government programmes, improve living conditions, meet citizens’ needs, and gather data on living conditions necessary for formulating social aid initiatives,” explained Mr Al Qaed.
He encouraged Bahraini and non-Bahraini families to participate in the survey to ensure its success.
“All field researchers will present their IDs when visiting the families, in addition to providing an overview of the survey, its goals, and its importance,” added Mr Al Qaed.
“Utmost confidentiality will be maintained when collecting data, which will later be published as aggregates that won’t allow survey subjects to be identified.”
The iGA has carried out household income and expenditure surveys for decades. The first survey was in 1974–1975. This was followed by a second in 1983–1984, a third in 1994–1995, a fourth in 2005–2006, and a fifth in 2014–2015.
By conducting this survey, iGA is demonstrating its commitment to gathering essential insights that will enable informed decision-making and facilitate the enactment of impactful policies for the benefit of both Bahraini and non-Bahraini residents. These efforts underline the dedication of Bahrain’s government to leveraging data-driven approaches to steer the nation’s socio-economic progress and welfare.