Household Expenditures Research Paper Series
User Guide for the Survey of Household Spending, 2014Household Expenditures Research Paper Series
User Guide for the Survey of Household Spending, 2014

Introduction

This guide presents information of interest to users of data from the 2014 Survey of Household Spending (SHS). It includes descriptions of the survey methodology and data quality, and definitions of survey terms and variables. There is also a section describing various statistics that can be drawn from the survey data.

The SHS is conducted annually. Information is collected from households using a questionnaire (administered using a computer-assisted personal interview) and an expenditure diary. The questionnaire is used to collect information on expenditures with recall periods based on the type of expenditure (last month, last three months, last 12 months, or last payment). The expenditure diary is completed for two weeks following the interview by selected households. Starting in 2012, the sample size for the expenditure diary is 50% of the total sample.

Data collection is continuous throughout the year. The 2014 SHS was conducted from January to December 2014 using a sample of 17,109 households in the 10 provinces. Detailed spending information was collected, as well as some information on dwelling characteristics and household equipment.

Household expenditure estimates are available at the national and provincial levels and by household tenure, age of reference person, size of area of residence, type of household and household income quintile. Detailed estimates of food expenditures are also available.

For custom tabulations or more information on the SHS, please contact Client Services, Income Statistics Division (613-951-7355, 1-888-297-7355 or STATCAN.income-revenu.STATCAN@canada.ca ).

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