This book provides a comprehensive framework for constructing consumption aggregates essential for welfare analysis. It addresses the complexities and challenges involved in accurately measuring household consumption, a critical component for understanding economic well-being and poverty. The work details methodologies and guidelines for researchers and policymakers to ensure consistency and comparability in welfare assessments across different contexts and datasets.

This book is regarded as a foundational text in the field of development economics, particularly for its rigorous approach to empirical welfare analysis. Experts in the field often cite its detailed methodological guidance as crucial for conducting reliable poverty and inequality studies. The work is valued for its clarity in defining complex statistical concepts and its practical applicability for researchers working with household survey data.