Statistics Norway (Statistisk sentralbyrå) has released a documentation note outlining the implementation of its quarterly travel surveys throughout 2021.
Key Points:
- The travel survey, conducted four times a year, aims to assess the travel habits of Norwegians both domestically and internationally. It covers topics such as border shopping, attitudes towards aid, cultural heritage, tobacco and alcohol use, wood burning, influenza vaccination, and attitudes towards immigration. While some themes are addressed each quarter, others are explored only once or twice a year.
- Data related to Norwegians’ attitudes towards aid is documented and published in an independent report.
- Each quarter in 2021, a sample of 2,000 individuals aged 16 to 79 was selected. In the fourth quarter, an additional sample of 1,000 individuals was drawn, focusing solely on questions related to tobacco and alcohol.
- There is some variation in response rates between quarters, ranging from 48 percent in the third quarter to 59 percent in the first quarter. Considering all quarters collectively, excluding the additional sample in the fourth quarter, the overall response rate was 54 percent. The primary reasons for non-response in the Travel Survey in 2021 include difficulty in reaching selected individuals and individuals opting not to participate. Younger individuals, especially those aged 25-44, and individuals with low or no education are the most challenging to include in the survey.
- The note examines whether the non-response has resulted in biases concerning characteristics such as age, gender, education, country of origin, and region. Some deviations are observed in the age distribution, with individuals aged 25–44 being slightly underrepresented and those aged 45-79 somewhat overrepresented in the net sample compared to other age groups. The most significant deviations are found when examining education level and country of origin. Individuals with secondary or higher education are overrepresented in the net sample compared to those with lower education. The same pattern applies to individuals with Norwegian origin compared to those with a different background. Finally, there is some overrepresentation of individuals in Oslo and Viken compared to other regions.
https://www.ssb.no/transport-og-reiseliv/reiseliv/artikler/reiseundersokelsen-2021