The 2025/26 Household Budget Survey (HBS), conducted by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), is a crucial nationwide initiative aimed at gathering comprehensive data on how households across the country live and spend their money. The survey collects demographic and housing information, as well as detailed accounts of both food and non-food expenditures, income sources, and household production.
One of the main objectives of the survey is to update Belize’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) by refining the basket of goods and services and adjusting their weighting structure. Since the CPI is the primary tool used to measure inflation, these updates are essential for ensuring its accuracy. In addition to this, the HBS plays a vital role in shaping national economic development policies, guiding wage and salary decisions, and providing a deeper understanding of household consumption patterns.
The survey targets household spenders 14 years and older, with a sample of 3,036 households in both urban and rural areas throughout Belize, including the Cayes. Households were chosen using the most recent register from the 2022 Population and Housing Census, ensuring that the sample is representative and geographically diverse. While information will be collected about all household members, interviews will primarily focus on a single informed respondent per household. This method guarantees efficient data collection while minimizing the burden on respondents.
Why the Household Budget Survey
Accurate Inflation Measurement
The HBS helps update the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Belize’s primary tool for measuring inflation, ensuring it accurately reflects local spending patterns.
Better Economic Planning
Data from the HBS supports the design of informed economic and social development strategies that benefit communities across the country.
Evidence-Based Policy Making
Government agencies rely on HBS data to develop policies grounded in the actual spending patterns and living conditions of households.
Stronger National Statistics
The HBS enhances the accuracy and relevance of Belize’s official statistics, strengthening the credibility of data used by researchers, investors, and international partners.
Monitoring Living Standards
The survey helps track changes in living conditions over time, revealing how household well-being evolves and where interventions may be needed.
Your Experience Counts
By participating, you help ensure that your household’s economic reality is accurately represented in national statistics, contributing to a fairer and more responsive Belize.
HBS Survey Pilot
As an essential preparatory step, the pilot phase of the 2025/26 Household Budget Survey (HBS) will take place from Sunday, July 20th, to Saturday, August 2nd. During this time, trained field staff will visit a total of 72 households in the Cayo District, including 32 in the urban city of Belmopan and 40 in the rural communities of Teakettle and Arizona. The purpose of the pilot is to test and refine the entire data collection process before the national rollout, with a focus on individual spenders aged 14 and older within the selected households.
Data collection will be carried out through face-to-face interviews using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) software on tablets. This method enhances both the accuracy and efficiency of data collection, as it includes built-in logic and skip patterns that guide interviewers based on the respondents’ answers. Once the interviews are completed, the responses are automatically saved and uploaded to a central database for secure analysis. Field and zone supervisors will conduct regular quality checks to ensure data integrity and accuracy. Additionally, each household will receive a self-administered diary questionnaire to record daily food expenditures over a seven-day period, providing valuable insights into household consumption behavior.
Duration
HBS 2026 includes four data collection rounds, each lasting four to five weeks. The first round starts in March 2026, with additional rounds in June, September, and December.
A pilot survey was conducted in July 2025 to test the questionnaires.
Survey Components
The survey includes both interviewer-administered and self-administered questionnaires, as outlined below.
Household Questionnaire
An SIB interviewer administers this questionnaire to one knowledgeable household member.
It captures overall household spending and identifies members eligible for the Individual Questionnaire.
Individual Questionnaire
All household members aged 14 and older complete this questionnaire.
A trained interviewer administers it face-to-face.
It gathers individual-level expenditure data.
Diary Questionnaire
The household completes this questionnaire over 7 days.
It records daily food-related expenses by household members.
The interviewer collects the completed questionnaire at the end of the recording period.
Data Collection
Data collection for the first round of the Household Budget Survey will take place from Saturday, March 7, to Friday, April 17. During this time, trained interviewers will visit approximately 750 households nationwide to interview individuals aged 14 and older.
The primary data collection method for the HBS will be face-to-face interviews conducted by trained interviewers using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) software and tablets. This technology improves accuracy and speed while reducing errors and inconsistencies. CAPI software uses preloaded skip patterns to guide interviewers to the appropriate questions based on prior responses. After each interview, the data is automatically saved and can be uploaded to a central database for analysis. Field and zone supervisors will conduct regular quality checks.
In addition to face-to-face interviews, the HBS includes a self-administered Diary questionnaire. This booklet will be left with each household to record food-related expenditures over a seven-day period.
Field Staff
SIB staff are identifiable by their SIB identification card and a white t-shirt with the SIB logo. Vehicles display SIB logo decals. All 2026 HBS field staff will sign an Oath of Secrecy that prohibits disclosure of confidential information.
Confidentiality and Privacy
The Statistical Institute of Belize wants to assure the public that all information provided during the survey will be kept strictly confidential. All employees of the SIB, both temporary and permanent, take an oath of secrecy. The data collected will be used exclusively for statistical purposes. Personal information will be safeguarded in accordance with the Statistical Institute of Belize Act No. 9 of 2006 and international statistical standards.
Confidentiality and Privacy
For questions regarding the HBS, please contact the Data Dissemination Department at the Statistical Institute of Belize by phone at 822-2207 ext. 209 or by email at info@mail.sib.org.bz.
