IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) begins measuring spending on sports betting in family budgets.

The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) has included spending on sports betting in the Family Budget Survey (POF). The change occurred in the 2024/2025 edition of the survey. The POF defines the weights of products and services in the Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA). The survey also provides data on household consumption in the calculation of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The new edition of the POF (Family Budget Survey) incorporated the measurement of expenses related to betting . This type of betting has gained ground in the consumption of Brazilian families. The survey improved the questionnaire to track spending on online purchases and services. Streaming platforms and transportation apps were already monitored in the previous edition of the survey.

POF manager Leonardo Santos de Oliveira explains that the changes reflect transformations in the population's consumption patterns, according to information published by VALOR. "The pandemic has greatly changed consumption habits. Online shopping has gained prominence, and we are monitoring this more closely," he states.

The research calculates the proportion of over 5 products and services in the budget. The survey requires respondents to record expenses in a notebook. Participants record the quantity of the product, price, and place of purchase. The food list might include the number of grams of cheese, the price, and whether the product was purchased at a bakery or supermarket.

The information is classified by criteria such as family income bracket and place of residence. The survey details the income received by participating families. The POF (Household Budget Survey) is applied throughout the national territory. The survey covers different regions and types of housing.

In addition to information related to budget structure, the POF investigates characteristics of households and families. The survey also addresses food security and restricted access to medicines. This 2024/2025 edition included a test on time use.

The research includes a specific questionnaire about quality of life. The questionnaire has been revised in this edition. The questions include satisfaction with one's own life, assessment of family financial needs, and equity.

Economists emphasize that the POF (Household Budget Survey) has strategic importance for Brazil in multiple dimensions. The survey directly influences the conduct of monetary policy. It also affects the country's fiscal situation and the analysis of economic activity. The IPCA (Broad Consumer Price Index) serves as a benchmark for the Central Bank in meeting its inflation target.

Bráulio Borges, director of LCA Consultores, senior economist at 4Intelligence, and researcher at FGV Ibre, points out that updating the survey has a direct impact on measuring inflation. “Retail inflation indices like the IPCA clearly overestimate inflation. This is a known result from the literature. The longer it takes to incorporate a POF (Family Budget Survey), the more inflation is overestimated. And this obviously affects monetary policy,” he states.

Borges emphasizes that the research has consequences for the cost of public debt. The cost is pressured by the level of the Selic rate. The economist mentions the influence on government spending. Pensions and other social security expenses are adjusted based on inflation. "This generates an impact of billions of reais on the government's primary spending. It has several implications," he states.

The POF manager highlights the scope of the research in capturing the population's consumption habits. "I like to say that the POF reflects the daily life of Brazilians down to the last detail. In fact, the research delves into different dimensions of people's lives," says Leonardo Santos de Oliveira.

The research involves Brazilian families from different income brackets and places of residence. The families provide detailed information about their expenses. The data collected is used by economic policymakers. The Central Bank and the federal government use the information. The data also serve as a reference for economic analyses.

Family Budget Survey (POF)

The Household Budget Survey (POF) is a household survey conducted by the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) that maps the consumption habits, income composition, and nutritional conditions of Brazilian families. The results are crucial because they define the weighting structure used in calculating the official inflation rate (IPCA) and guide public policies.

The current edition of the survey (POF 2024/2025) has completed its national data collection and its first results are expected from the first half of 2026.