The Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) has launched the 2023 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) results.
The ceremony was held at the TATTE Convention Center on Friday afternoon, attended by Minister of SBS Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, Pacific Community Representative Michael Sharp, and Australian High Commissioner to Samoa William Robinson.
Minister of SBS Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o, in her keynote address, revealed that the 2023 HIES is the fifth survey of its kind since 2002, providing vital data that informs key decisions about Samoa’s economic and social development.
“It offers invaluable insights into the economic realities faced by households across Samoa,” she said. The survey aims to update the basket of goods for the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rebase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), assess poverty and food security, and analyze the economic situation of Samoan households.
The minister noted that the 2023 HIES is especially important as it introduces new methods that improve the quality of the data, giving a clearer picture of the living conditions and economic activities of Samoan households.
“The survey covered 3,074 households and 18,357 persons, and through statistical analysis, conclusions were made about the entire population of Samoa, which will be reflected in today’s results,” said the minister.
The report provides insights at the national, regional, and household levels, highlighting key differences between urban and rural areas, geographic regions, and demographic groups.
The HIES data plays a critical role in informing policy and planning by helping policymakers make decisions on issues like poverty, inequality, and unemployment, ensuring resources are allocated effectively. It also provides insights into food consumption, nutrition, and health expenditures, supporting policies aimed at improving food security and public health, especially in rural areas.
Additionally, the data helps measure poverty levels and income inequality, guiding the implementation of poverty reduction programs. By analyzing household spending and income trends, it identifies growth opportunities to drive economic development and job creation.
The HIES strengthens national statistics, supporting more accurate future research and better policy decisions, while also tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, His Excellency Will Robinson, acknowledged the strong and collaborative partnership of SBS and Tautai, as well as the Pacific Community and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Australia supported the HIES through Tautai, Australia’s bilateral governance development assistance program. Tautai is a long-term partnership between the Samoan and Australian Governments to support economic and democratic governance in Samoa.
As 2024 comes to a close, Tautai is now two years into this eight-year commitment.
For the HIES, Tautai provided:
- SAT$1.2 million in financial assistance, which supported the enumeration teams in the field, the capacity development of SBS officials, and the donation of laptops, tablets, and statistical software; and
- Deployment of a communications adviser to strengthen the engagement of the users of statistics in the use of the statistics held by SBS.
