The index includes all goods and services used by households. The reference population is all households residing in the national territory. The weights are based on the expenses of a representative sample of Belgian households. The weights were derived from the June 1995-May 1996 household budget survey. Prices are recorded nationwide and for all methods of distribution.
All prices refer to a particular period in the month, in general within two or three days.
The same outlets are visited each month at the same period of the month. Periodicity Monthly Timeliness Released in the last week of the current month. The press is informed during the session of the Index Committee, immediately after the approval of the monthly index. The Ministry of Economic Affairs subsequently announces the monthly results to the public by press release. The data can also be obtained from the Index Office at that time in a recorded message.