Declining Survey Response and Government Data

The rise of the government statistical apparatus in the 20th century was heavily based on survey data, including surveys of households and businesses. But the willingness to respond to such surveys has been in decline. David S. Johnson, Maggie Meinhardt, and John Sabelhaus provide an overview of the problem in “Why did people stop responding to federal economic surveys? What can be done?” (Brookings Institution, April 14, 2026). For a sense of the challenge, consider the falling survey response rates from households over time for key federal surveys. The CPS or Current Population Survey collects an array of data on households and income, along with employment and unemployment, poverty, and health insurance. Ten years ago the response rate was almost 90%; now it’s fallen almost to 60%. The CPI-Housing Survey is a monthly survey of 50,000 rental households for what they pay in rent–and the cost of shelter determines about 30% of the Consumer Price Index. The CE or Consumer Expenditure…