This survey measures household spending, incomes and income inequality and shows how these are changing over time.
The survey usually takes place every five years and runs for a year to ensure we can capture different spending patterns throughout the year. For example, spending is typically higher in the build up to Christmas.
Latest survey information
The 2021 to 2022 reports presented data collected between October 2021 to November 2022.
How we select people to take part
We select households at random to take part in the survey. Each participating household is asked to complete a face-to face survey with a trained interviewer relating to infrequent purchases and regular spending on household bills. Each adult also keeps a two-week spending diary to capture their day-to-day purchases.
By selecting households at random, having a suitable sample size, and using statistical techniques such as weighting, we make sure that the results are representative of the whole population.
How the data is used and past reports
We use the results to produce earnings, income, and spending statistics. The statistics produced are used by policy makers, service providers, businesses, charities and the general public.
We also use the results to make sure that the Jersey ‘cost of living’ (RPI) is up to date and reflects Islanders’ spending habits. The Retail Prices Index (RPI) measures changes in the price of goods and services purchased by households. This involves pricing a range of goods and services on which households spend their money. These items are then combined together according to their relative proportion of average household spend, as measured in the household spending survey.
Reports using this survey data can be found on our release calendar.
Choosing the questions
The questions are carefully chosen and designed to make sure that the survey responses give a full and accurate picture of each household’s spending and income.