The Household Budget Survey (HBS) conducted in line with the current methodology has been carried out since 1996. In 1995, with the aid extended by the World Bank experts and upholding Eurostat’s recommendations, a methodology for the survey was worked up. The methodology for the survey 2003 was revised and improved.

The objective of the survey is to obtain reliable information about the standard of living of households, i.e. income, expenditure, its structure, housing conditions, acquisition of durable goods, etc. The target population of the HBS are private households in Lithuania.

The selected households are being surveyed for a one-month period. After a month, they are replaced by other house-holds. Each household participating in the survey is guaranteed confidentiality of information submitted to statistical agencies (based on Article 15 of the Law on Statistics of the Republic of Lithuania). The HBS uses two data collection methods: an interview conducted by an interviewer and self-registration of certain household indicators (monetary expenditure, foodstuffs, tangible goods and services received free of charge, farming activity) in special survey documents.