Alternative sources of data for 2011 Census variables

Variables about income

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Sources of income

Alternative data sources Limitations 

General Social Survey (GSS)

  • National coverage (some limited data at regional level) 
  • Two-yearly 
  • Last published Oct 2009

Source: Statistics NZ
  • Sample errors high for certain population sub-groups
  • Small sample size
  • Survey limited to private households only

Household Economic Survey (HES)

  • National coverage
  • Three-yearly
  • Last published Nov 2010

Source: Statistics NZ
  • No geographic breakdown below national level 
  • Subject to sample error 
  • Survey limited to private households only

Survey of Family, Income and Employment (SoFIE)

  • National coverage 
  • Annual that ran for eight years 
  • Last published Mar 2008

Source: Statistics NZ
  • Sample less representative of population as time goes on due to sample loss (because survey is longitudinal rather than cross-sectional)

NZ Income Survey (NZIS)

  • Regional coverage
  • Annual
  • Last published Oct 2010

Source: Statistics NZ
  • Geographic detail only to regional level
  • Sampling errors high for certain sub-groups and certain incomes
  • Certain sources of income are not collected (hobbies, casual work, etc and inter-household transfers)
  • Benefits collected separately but quality not good at an individual level

Linked Employer-Employee Database (LEED)

  • Regional coverage
  • Quarterly 
  • Last published May 2011

Source: Statistics NZ
  • Data not timely
  • Incomplete coverage
  • Data for individuals only
  • Age and sex the only demographic variables

Ministry of Social Development

  • Regional coverage
  • Annual
  • Last published Mar 2011

Source: Ministry of Social Development
  • Data collected by Work and Income's service centres and regions, so not compatible below national level
  • Hard to do geographic splits
  • Includes data on all benefits
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Total income

Alternative data sources Limitations 

General Social Survey (GSS)

  • National coverage (some limited data at regional level) 
  • Two-yearly 
  • Last published Oct 2009

Source: Statistics NZ
  • Small sample size
  • Sampling errors high for certain population sub-groups
  • Survey limited to private households only

 

Household Economic Survey (HES)

  • National coverage
  • Three-yearly
  • Last published Nov 2010

Source: Statistics NZ
  • Small sample size
  • No geographic breakdown below national level

 

Survey of Family, Income and Employment (SoFIE)

  • National coverage
  • Annual that ran for eight years 
  • Last published Mar 2008

Source: Statistics NZ


  • Sample less representative of population as time goes on due to sample loss (because survey is longitudinal rather than cross-sectional)

NZ Income Survey (NZIS)

  • Regional coverage
  • Annual
  • Last published Oct 2010

Source: Statistics NZ
  • Geographic detail only to regional level
  • Sampling errors high for certain sub-groups and certain incomes
  • Certain sources of income are not collected (hobbies, casual work, etc and inter-household transfers)
  • Benefits collected separately but quality not good at an individual level

 Linked Employer-Employee Database (LEED)

 

  • Regional coverage
  • Quarterly
  • Last published May 2011

Source: Statistics NZ
  • Data not timely
  • Incomplete coverage
  • Data for individuals only
  • Age and sex the only demographic variables

Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) 

  • National coverage
  • Quarterly
  • Last published Aug 2011

Source: Statistics NZ
  • Wage and salary data only
  • Not linked to data about characteristics of the income earners
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