Harmonized Household Health Surveys, HHHS 2012, Iraq

Iraq is considered a leader in household expenditure and income surveys where the first was conducted in 1946 followed by surveys in 1954 and 1961. After the establishment of Central Statistical Organization, household expenditure and income surveys were carried out every 3-5 years in (1971/ 1972, 1976, 1979, 1984/ 1985, 1988, 1993, 2002 / 2007). Implementing the cooperation between CSO and WB, Central Statistical Organization (CSO) and Kurdistan Region Statistics Office (KRSO) launched fieldwork on IHSES on 1/1/2012. The survey was carried out over a full year covering all governorates including those in Kurdistan Region. The survey has six main objectives. These objectives are: 1. Provide data for poverty analysis and measurement and monitor, evaluate and update the implementation Poverty Reduction National Strategy issued in 2009. 2. Provide comprehensive data system to assess household social and economic conditions and prepare the indicators related to the human development. 3. Provide data that meet the needs and requirements of national accounts. 4. Provide detailed indicators on consumption expenditure that serve making decision related to production, consumption, export and import. 5. Provide detailed indicators on the sources of households and individuals income. 6. Provide data necessary for formulation of a new consumer price index number. The raw survey data provided by the Statistical Office were then harmonized by the Economic Research Forum, to create a comparable version with the 2006/2007 Household Socio Economic Survey in Iraq. Harmonization at this stage only included unifying variables' names, labels and some definitions. See: Iraq 2007 & 2012- Variables Mapping & Availability Matrix.pdf provided in the external resources for further information on the mapping of the original variables on the harmonized ones, in addition to more indications on the variables' availability in both survey years and relevant comments. The data may be accessed through the ERF Data Portal: http://www.erfdataportal.com/index.php/catalog/110