Household budget survey 

HBS

The aim of the household budget survey (BDF) is to put together the entire household accounts: expenditure and resources of households in France (mainland and overseas departments).

The study of expenditure is the traditional and central purpose of the survey: all household expenditure is recorded, the amount and nature of these expenses, broken down into a classification of about 900 budgetary items (COICOP) compatible with the classification used in the national accounts.

All expenses are covered, including those not associated with the consumption of goods and services (in the sense of the national accounts): taxes and contributions, insurance premiums, major home renovation expenditure, loan repayments.

As well as expenses per se, the survey also collects information about non-monetary consumption: food produced for own consumption.

The survey also covers household resources, which include individual income (wages, independent earned income, etc.) and revenue received by the household as a whole (benefits, transfers between households, etc.).

The household budget survey mainly collects monetary data. Other more specialised surveys on each item of consumption (transport, housing, leisure, holidays, etc.) use a qualitative approach to household behavior. Nevertheless, in order to illustrate these monetary data, some complementary questions are asked on the financial situation as perceived by the household.

The BDF survey has existed in France in its present form (5-yearly survey) since 1979 (1995 for overseas departments). Surveys covering the same topics have existed since 1956 in other forms (permanent surveys, food surveys, etc.).

The next edition of the survey will depend on a European regulation. It will take place in 2026, to conform to the dates of the European waves. INSEE receives funding from the European Union for the preparation of this survey.

Survey

Punctual or aperiodic