The Household Budget Survey (HBS) has been a key source of statistics in Malta for several decades. It provides the National Statistics Office (NSO) with essential insights into household consumption patterns and living conditions. Conducted periodically—typically every five to ten years—it serves as the primary source to update the weighting structure of the Retail Price Index (RPI) and the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). It is also used within National Accounts, as well as for social policy analysis, and the measurement of poverty and inequalities. The data emerging from the HBS also fulfils EU statistical reporting requirements.
The HBS 2024
The most recent round of the HBS was launched in 2024, with fieldwork running over a full 52-week period between November 2024 and December 2025. This ensured that seasonal spending patterns were adequately captured. The previous HBS was conducted in 2015–2016. The survey targets all private households in Malta and Gozo using a large, systematically selected sample of around 7,000 households. Data is collected through a detailed household questionnaire and two-week expenditure diaries. This method allows for the collection of information on both regular and irregular spending.
Key changes between HBS 2015 and HBS 2024
While the objectives of the 2024 HBS remain unchanged, this round incorporated new content, strengthened existing areas, and modernised classifications to ensure improved comparability. This ultimately allowed for greater methodological rigour, and stronger alignment with emerging policy needs, both nationally and within the EU. Amongst others, the changes led to increased coverage of household behaviours and expenditure activities, particularly in travel and online purchases and allowed for more detailed and accurate statistical estimates required for the compilation of National Accounts, such as imputed rent. This version also introduced a new household finance module capturing saving and borrowing behaviour. Additional updates include more inclusive demographic classifications and refinements to question design aimed at improving clarity and reducing respondent burden.
Fieldwork and response rate
Although households were legally required to participate, the Office acknowledges the effort involved in completing the questionnaire and diaries. NSO provided monetary compensation to participating households in recognition of their time and effort. Over the 52-week data collection period, the overall response rate was 59 per cent – this is among the highest achieved across EU countries for this survey. Response rates varied by region (Chart 1) and period, ranging from 66 per cent in February 2025 to 52 per cent in October 2025 (Chart 2).
Chart 1. Response rate by districts of residence
Chart 2. Response rates by fieldwork period
Data analysis and reporting
All information recorded in the diaries and questionnaire will be validated through rigorous statistical processes to minimise errors which may lead to biased results. Imputation, using appropriate statistical techniques, will be conducted to update any missing information. The data will be statistically calibrated to reflect the population structure during the reference year. This process is currently underway and will be finalised by the third quarter of 2026. Results will be published before the end of 2026. By the end of 2026, household expenditure data derived from this survey will also be used to update the basic weighting structure of the RPI. Finally, more detailed estimates from the HBS will be integrated into the National Accounts production processes, improving the quality of economic estimates on household consumption and savings.
Conclusion
The 2024 HBS is expected to reveal notable shifts in consumption patterns. This reflects the substantial changes in population structure by sex, citizenship, and geographic distribution, first highlighted in the 2021 Census of Population and Housing and subsequently confirmed by other social surveys. Differences may also result from the emergence of new services and technologies and changes in lifestyle patterns which would shift the way households allocate their income. Consumption patterns can also differ across household types and socio-economic groups.
The NSO would like to take the opportunity to thank all households that participated in the survey, as well as all NSO staff and interviewers who contributed to the successful implementation of the fieldwork.
