The measurement of household consumption expenditures

Abstract

Abstract:Household-level data on consumer expenditures underpins a wide range of empirical research in modern economics, spanning micro-and macroeconomics. This research includes work on consumption and saving, on poverty and inequality, and on risk sharing and insurance. We review different ways in which such data can be collected or captured: traditional detailed budget surveys, less onerous survey procedures that might be included in more general surveys, and administrative or process data. We discuss the advantages and difficulties of each approach and suggest directions for future investigation.2

Zoomshock: The Geography and Local Labour Market Consequences of Working from Home

“…These data are applicable to a broad variety of questions in the analysis of individual consumption behavior. They present a new opportunity for researchers to measure consumption in complementary and arguably more reliable ways than using data from consumption surveys, which has become less reliable in recent decades and has prompted a variety of initiatives aimed at improving the measurement of consumption (see Browning et al, 2014;Landais and Spinnewijn, 2020 We do not find evidence such local lockdowns resulted in large spending declines:…”

Understanding the Determinants of Household Saving: Micro Evidence for Latin America

“…In addition, a pervasive problem with household surveys is limited coverage of income and underreporting of income by well-off families. In turn, potentially misleading saving and consumption data can result from recall expenditure surveys, such as the ones being exploited here (see Battistin, 2003, andBrowning, Crossley andWinter, 2014). 8 Let us say that these differences are not exclusive of Latin America and extend to developed countries as well.…”