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29 March 2024

Dubai begins survey on household spend

Published
By Parag Deulgaonkar

Dubai has commenced a household expenditure and income survey 2014-25, considered to be one of the most important surveys in economic and social development of the emirate.

The aim of the survey is to calculate the quantities and values of consumption of goods and services and estimating their future demand and identifying the layers and levels of household income and their extent of providing food security to them as well as their impact on domestic consumer spending aspects, Dubai Statistics Centre (DSC) said in an emailed notice to residents.

The Centre says that the survey is one of the most difficult and accurate family surveys that require great efforts and considerable period of time (over one year).

The survey provides demographic, housing, expenditure, and income data about the society; which reflects several social and economic indicators.

“These indicators are essential for setting development plans and programs and investment projects and measuring the level of welfare, life quality and standards of living according to the latest methodologies and international standards as well as the United Nations and International Labour Organisation recommendations,” DSC says.

The last household expenditure and income survey in Dubai was conducted in 2009. The results, which were announced in 2010, found European expatriates topping the annual income list followed by Emiratis and Arab households.

The average annual income of Europeans then was Dh172,000 and the monthly average was Dh14,003, according to a household expenditure and income survey by Dubai Statistics Centre.

Emiratis came in second with an annual income of Dh133,000 and a monthly average of Dh11,800, while Arabs were placed third on the list with an annual income of Dh102,000 and a monthly average of Dh8,005.

The DSC notice said surveyors would visit households between 5 pm to 9 pm from April 1 and April 30.

“We are highly confident that you will cooperate with the centre’s surveyors and provide comprehensive and accurate data in order to support the development process of the emirate of Dubai.

“All information gathered through the survey will remain confidential by law and will only be used for statistical purposes,” DSC said.

In October 2013, the Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi said it has commenced the household income and expenditure survey to study of family incomes, expenditure and living standards.

The information will be used to identify patterns, calculate disposable household income, reveal the breakdown of spending between each individual in the home and identify factors affecting spending such as income, education, occupation and nationality.

The survey will run until September 30, 2014 and thereafter the Centre taking six months to analyse the data and publish it.