Household Survey Response Burden Index Q3 2021

Response and time indices increased in the period Q3 2017 to Q3 2021

Response burden is a measure of the burden placed on Irish households by Central Statistics Office (CSO) surveys. There are three separate indices created; a distribution burden, a response burden, and a time burden. Please see Background Notes for further explanation of these concepts.

Looking at the number of interviews distributed by the CSO, there was a 59% increase in the distribution index between Q3 2017 and Q3 2021. Over the same period, there was a 17% decrease and a 6% increase in the response and time indices respectively. See Table 1.1 and Figure 1.1.

Changes to the distribution index can be caused by different levels of required statistical precision in different household surveys, thereby leading to different sample sizes. The number of surveys being conducted at a given time also influences this index. Changes to the response index include a natural fluctuation across the survey population over the course of the year, and variation in response expected. The time index is affected by the number of responses received to individual surveys, along with the number of questions asked within. Improved data and development of methodologies also contribute to variation within the response and time indices.

Average duration of household interview increased slightly in the period Q3 2017 - Q3 2021

During the period from Q3 2017 to Q3 2021, the number of interviews distributed, and responses received per household in the State remained constant at 0.02 and 0.01 respectively. The average time taken to complete the interviews was 5.25 seconds in Q3 2017. This average time increased to 10.78 seconds per household in Q1 2018 and has decreased to 5.59 seconds in Q3 2021. See Table 1.2 and Figure 1.2.