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Business Spending on Information and Communication

February 28, 2009 By Paul (Founder, WorkAtHomeTruth) Leave a Comment

Business Spending on Information and Communication
Technology Infrastructure Reaches $264 Billion in 2007

U.S. businesses spent $264.2 billion on information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and computer software in 2007, a 4.4 percent increase over 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Each year, the Census Bureau publishes sector-level data from its Information and Communication Technology Survey for noncapitalized and capitalized spending as a supplement to the Annual Capital Expenditures Survey. Noncapitalized expenditures are written off in the same year in which they are made, while capitalized expenditures are usually depreciated over time.

Noncapitalized expenditures made up 35.7 percent, or $94.4 billion, of spending on ICT equipment. Capitalized spending accounted for 64.3 percent of total spending, or $169.8 billion, a 5.9 percent increase from 2006.

Among noncapitalized expenditures, purchases of ICT equipment accounted for $20.2 billion (21.4 percent), an increase of 7.0 percent from 2006; operating leases and rental payments accounted for $17.8 billion (18.8 percent); and computer software expenditures accounted for $56.4 billion (59.7 percent).

Of total capitalized spending in 2007, purchases of ICT equipment accounted for $106.5 billion, an increase of 5.3 percent from 2006. Capitalized purchases and payroll for developing software accounted for $63.3 billion, an increase of 6.8 percent from 2006.

Sector highlights:

* Information — Spending in this sector totaled $63.8 billion, or 24.1 percent of total ICT expenditures. Noncapitalized spending saw a 10.5 percent decrease from 2006, while capitalized expenditures increased 4.1 percent over the same period.
* Finance and insurance — Spending in this sector totaled $52.5 billion, or 19.9 percent of total ICT spending in 2007. Capitalized spending at $29.1 billion increased 6.4 percent from 2006.
* Manufacturing — Spending in this sector reached $36.2 billion, representing 13.7 percent of total ICT spending for 2007. Noncapitalized expenditures were $17.7 billion, an increase of 2.5 percent over 2006. Capital expenditures were $18.5 billion.
* Professional, scientific, and technical services — In 2007, spending in this sector totaled $24.9 billion, or 9.4 percent of total ICT spending. Noncapitalized expenditures were $11.3 billion. Capitalized expenditures were $13.6 billion.
* Health care and social assistance — This sector spent $21.4 billion, representing 8.1 percent of total ICT spending. Capitalized expenditures reached $14.5 billion, a 10.9 percent increase from 2006.

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The estimates in this report are based on a stratified random sample of about 47,800 companies with employees. Responding firms account for about 89.8 percent of the total e-business infrastructure spending estimate.

Data in the report are subject to sampling variability as well as nonsampling errors. Sources of nonsampling error include errors of response, nonreporting and coverage. More details concerning survey design, methodology and data limitations are provided in the full report, which is available online at <www.census.gov/csd/ict/>.

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Census Bureau to Survey Nation’s Spending Habits

January 5, 2009 By Paul (Founder, WorkAtHomeTruth) Leave a Comment

Jan 5, 2009 U.S. Census Bureau Press Release:

ATLANTA — In January 2009, U.S. Census Bureau field representatives will collect information about how much Americans spend for groceries, clothing, transportation, housing, health care and other items from a sample of households across the country.

The Consumer Expenditure (CE) Survey program consists of two parts:

* The Interview Survey – Throughout the year, about 43,000 households will be interviewed once every three months over five calendar quarters to obtain data on relatively large expenditures and also for those expenditures that occur on a regular basis (such as rent and utilities).

* The Diary Survey – During the year, another 9,200 households will keep two consecutive one-week diaries of smaller, more frequent purchases that may be difficult for respondents to recall later (such as a fast-food purchase at a drive-through window, a soda or candy bar from a vending machine, or a carton of eggs from the supermarket).

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics then calculates and publishes integrated data from the two surveys — providing a snapshot of our nation’s economy and spending habits. Government economists use the survey results to update a “market basket” of goods and services for the Consumer Price Index, our nation’s most widely used measure of inflation.

“Findings from the Consumer Expenditure Survey permit policymakers to assess the impact of governmental policy changes on spending patterns of different socioeconomic groups,” said George Grandy Jr., director of the Census Bureau’s Atlanta Regional Office. “These data also help business owners track consumer spending trends, so they can better respond to the needs of their customers.”

Before the CE interviews begin, households will receive a letter from the Census Bureau director informing them of their selection to participate in the survey. Census Bureau field representatives will visit these households to conduct the interview. The field representative must display an official photo identification before proceeding with the interview. Federal law ensures survey respondents’ personal information and answers are kept confidential.

Click here to get data on the amount spent on housing from an example of CE results. Housing spending includes shelter; utilities, fuels and public services; household operations; housekeeping supplies; and household furnishings and equipment.

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Number of Americans With a Disability Reaches 54.4 Million

December 19, 2008 By Paul (Founder, WorkAtHomeTruth) Leave a Comment

U.S. Census Bureau Press Release, December 18, 2008

About one in five U.S. residents – 19 percent – reported some level of disability in 2005, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released today. These 54.4 million Americans are roughly equal to the combined total populations of California and Florida.

Both the number and percentage of people with disabilities were higher than in 2002, the last time the Census Bureau collected such information. At that time, 51.2 million, or 18 percent, reported a disability.

Among those with a disability, 35 million, or 12 percent of the population, were classified as having a severe disability, according to Americans With Disabilities: 2005 [PDF].

Nearly half (46 percent) of people age 21 to 64 with a disability were employed, compared with 84 percent of people in this age group without a disability. Among those with disabilities, 31 percent with severe disabilities and 75 percent with nonsevere disabilities were employed. People with difficulty hearing were more likely to be employed than those with difficulty seeing (59 percent compared with 41 percent).

A portion of people with disabilities — 11 million age 6 and older — needed personal assistance with everyday activities. These activities include such tasks as getting around inside the home, taking a bath or shower, preparing meals and performing light housework.

Other important findings:

  • Among people 15 and older, 7.8 million (3 percent) had difficulty hearing a normal conversation, including 1 million being unable to hear at all. Although not part of the definition of disability used in the report, 4.3 million people reported using a hearing aid.
  • Roughly 3.3 million people, or 1 percent, age 15 and older used a wheelchair or similar device, with 10.2 million, or 4 percent, using a cane, crutches or walker.
  • Nearly 7.8 million people age 15 and older had difficulty seeing words or letters in ordinary newspaper print, including 1.8 million being completely unable to see.
  • More than 16 million people had difficulty with cognitive, mental or emotional functioning. This included 8.4 million with one or more problems that interfere with daily activities, such as frequently being depressed or anxious, trouble getting along with others, trouble concentrating and trouble coping with stress.
  • The chances of having a disability increase with age: 18.1 million people 65 and older, or 52 percent, had a disability. Of this number, 12.9 million, or 37 percent, had a severe disability. For people 80 and older, the disability rate was 71 percent, with 56 percent having a severe disability.
  • Among people 16 to 64, 13.3 million, or 7 percent, reported difficulty finding a job or remaining employed because of a health-related condition.
  • Among people 25 to 64 with a severe disability, 27 percent were in poverty, compared with 12 percent for people with a nonsevere disability and 9 percent for those without a disability.
  • Median monthly earnings were $1,458 for people with a severe disability, $2,250 for people with a nonsevere disability and $2,539 for those with no disability.
  • Parents reported that 228,000 children under age 3, or 2 percent, had a disability. Specifically, they either had a developmental delay or difficulty moving their arms or legs. In addition, there were 475,000 children 3 to 5 years, or 4 percent, with a disability, which meant they had either a developmental delay or difficulty walking, running or playing.
  • There were 4.7 million children 6 to 14, or 13 percent, with a disability. The most prevalent type was difficulty doing regular schoolwork (2.5 million, or 7 percent).

The Survey of Income and Program Participation produces national-level estimates for the U.S. resident population and subgroups, and allows for the observation of trends over time, particularly of selected characteristics such as income, eligibility for and participation in transfer programs, household and family composition, labor force behavior and other associated events.

Click here to view work at home resources for the disabled.

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