- HCES is designed to collect information on consumption of goods and services by households.
- It is conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) every five years.
- Utility of HCES
- Collects information on demographic particulars of households which are useful for understanding consumption and expenditure pattern, standard of living and well-being of households.
- HCES data play a key role in reviewing critical economic indicators, including GDP, poverty levels, and Consumer Price Inflation.
- Key findings of HCES
- Rural and Urban average monthly consumption spending per person increased to Rs 3,773 and Rs 6,459 per month (more than doubled since 2011-12).
- MPCE is highest in Sikkim for both rural and urban areas and lowest in Chhattisgarh.
- Share of expenditure on food in rural India was 46% and in urban India was 39%.
- About NSSO
- Headed by Director General, it is responsible for conduct of large scale sample surveys in diverse fields on All India basis.
- Responsible for nationwide household surveys on socio-economic subjects including unemployment, Annual Survey of Industries, etc.
- National Statistics Office (NSO) consists of Central Statistics Office (CSO) and NSSO. CSO is an attached Office and NSSO is subordinate Office under MoSPI.