Consumer Expenditure Survey 1992

Statistics Norway has used periodic consumption surveys as a basis for preparing and updating the weight basis for the consumer price index. Detailed overviews of consumption in private households have also formed an important basis for the living conditions statistics, and for research on income, living conditions and e.g. effects of the tax system's use of direct and indirect taxes. The material is also so detailed that it provides an interesting basis for dietary analyses. Data can also be used for demand studies, in economic planning models or for specification of private consumption in the national accounts.

Up to and including 1973, Statistics Norway carried out consumption surveys at intervals of several years, in 1974 Statistics Norway switched to a system of annual surveys, with a somewhat smaller sample. From 1974-1976, data is published for 3 years at a time, and the annual gross sample is approximately 1,500 households, net sample 1,100-1,200 households. The aim was still to build up a detailed overview of consumption in private households, as a basis for updating the weight basis in the consumer price index. One also wants to survey consumption in different types of households. The households are classified according to characteristics such as household type, income, main employee's occupational status and age, area of residence, size of total consumption expenditure, etc. Data is organized in several parts and contains background information about the household (collected through an introductory interview that maps the household composition), detailed consumption measured in value and quantity (registered by keeping a diary, respectively for the household and individuals), the household's purchase of durable consumer goods (durable capital goods, collected at a comprehensive closing interview), consumption of self-produced goods and income and tax

Gross sample: 6,518 households for the 3-year period 1992-1994
A household has shared housing and shared meals
Net sample: 1992: 1,388 households Somewhat variable for different parts of the data collection
For the 3-year period 1992-1994, the net sample is 4,032 households (Response rate 61.9%)