Measuring Demand for Public Expenditure, 1992

The aim of this study was to measure willingness to pay for a range of public expenditures out of taxation and to assess the extent to which demand was based on recognition of public good benefiting the respondents, their household or the community in general. Two questionnaires were used, one with a module covering health and the arts, and the other, education and the environment. Variables include percieved community, individual and household benefit of government spending on items such as public transport, roads, law enforcement, the arts, recreation, health, the environment, and education. Variables also include use of health facilities, public transport and police services; cultural participation, sporting event and national park attendence. Background variables include sex, age, country of birth, household composition, highest qualification, type of schooling of dependents, occupation and income.