Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Tbilisi, Georgia metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Georgia Employment: by Region: ow The City of Tbilisi data was reported at 423,351.000 Person in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 414,171.000 Person for Mar 2018. Georgia Employment: by Region: ow The City of Tbilisi data is updated quarterly, averaging 278,305.000 Person from Mar 2006 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 50 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 423,405.000 Person in Dec 2017 and a record low of 172,943.000 Person in Mar 2006. Georgia Employment: by Region: ow The City of Tbilisi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Office of Georgia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Georgia – Table GE.G007: Employment: by Region.

MSM population size estimates in Tbilisi, Georgia using a range of multiplier methods.

1index cases>17 years of age.Abbreviations: AFB–Acid-fast bacilli; SS–sputum smear; MDR–Multidrug-resistantSocio-demographic and clinical characteristics of index tuberculosis (TB) cases, Tbilisi, Georgia, 2010–2011.

Different MSM population size estimates from various methods implemented in Tbilisi, Georgia 2014.

Abstract

Having reliable, timely data on poverty and inequality is critical to assess the distributional impact of and recovery from COVID-19 and high inflation on households and to make near-real time evidence-based strategic decisions. Partnering with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC), the South Caucasus team in the Poverty and Equity Global Practice at the World Bank conducted a series of Georgia High Frequency Survey to monitor the impact of these events on households in Georgia. This eighth round of the survey is augmented by including questions on the impact of high inflation, disruption in employment and schooling, concerns over environmental risks, and access to health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Geographic coverage

National coverage, representative at the national, rural/urban/Tbilisi-levels.

Analysis unit

Household, Individual (adult over age 18)

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The survey is based on phone-interviews with application of Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) and random digit dialing (RDD). The sampling frame is representative of the national and rural/urban/Tbilisi population. Around 2000 valid interviews were concluded in each round with response rates around 40%.

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Telephone Interview [cati]

Research instrument

The COVID-19 Georgia High Frequency Survey (GHFS) 2020-22 Wave 1 comprises following modules: 1- Household Identification, 2- Household Demographics, 3- Assets and Access to Internet, 4- Prevalence ofCOVID-19, 5- Distance Learning, 6- Employment Dynamics, 7- Income, 8- Food Security, 9- Shocks and Coping Strategies, 10- Vaccine, 11- Perception.

In waves 2, 3, and 4, module on remittances was added. In wave 4, module on shocks and coping strategies was dropped, but question on job disruption was added. In waves 5 and 6, modules on inflation impact and time use were added. Questions on income and remittances were dropped. In wave 7, questions on income and remittances were brought back. In wave 8, questions on the perception of environmental risks, perception of the country's development, and health services accessibility during the COVID-19 pandemic were added.

Cleaning operations

Data cleaning was carried out to identify and, where possible, correct inconsistencies. In addition, open-ended questions with textual responses were recoded so that these answers matched numeric codes. With CATI, the cleaning process was straightforward: pre-programmed questionnaire forms helped to eliminate ambiguous codes from being entered in the dataset. Also, the form did not accept errors related to selecting more values than permitted in the questionnaire. Additional protocols for data cleaning are summarized in the CRRC Fieldwork Report.

Response rate

Response rates were around 40%.

What are the top vacation rentals in Tbilisi? How many vacation rentals have private pools in Tbilisi? Which vacation homes in Tbilisi are best for families? How many Rentbyowner vacation rentals are available in Tbilisi?

Total Operated Flight: Georgia: Tbilisi-Xinjiang: Kashi data was reported at 2.000 Unit in 25 Dec 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.000 Unit for 09 Dec 2019. Total Operated Flight: Georgia: Tbilisi-Xinjiang: Kashi data is updated weekly, averaging 1.000 Unit from Mar 2019 (Median) to 25 Dec 2023, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.000 Unit in 25 Dec 2023 and a record low of 1.000 Unit in 09 Dec 2019. Total Operated Flight: Georgia: Tbilisi-Xinjiang: Kashi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by CEIC Data. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Transportation and Storage Sector – Table CN.TM: VariFlight Flight Statistics: Total Operated Flight: Arrival: Xinjiang.

Abstract

The Household Integrated Survey (HIS) in Georgia is conducted regularly from 1996 and has served to assess the level of consumption-based poverty since then. The HIS represents quarterly panel data. The survey covers 13,404 households over the year. Each month 1/12 of the sample is refreshed (about 228 households are changed in 25 census units).

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Households;
• Individuals.

Universe

The survey covers all household members, excluding persons fully supported by the state, for example persons staying in homes for the elderly and the disabled, children in public care institutions, prisoners, etc.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The survey consists in quarterly interviewing households in Tbilisi and nine regions of Georgia: 1. Kakheti; 2. Tbilisi; 3. Shida Kartli, including Mtskheta-Mtianeti1; 4. Kvemo Kartli; 5. Mtskheta-Mtianeti; 6. Samtskhe-Javakheti; 7. Adjara; 8. Guria; 9. Samegrelo; 10. Imereti, including Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.

The 1989 Population Census served as a sampling frame of the household survey untill 2002.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire consists of the following sections:

• Shinda01 ("Shinda" is a Georgian abbreviation for "observation of households") : general information about living conditions, housing, durables, etc. This section remained unchanged since the household survey was introduced in 1996.

• Shinda02: household composition. This section also remained unchanged since the survey inception.

• Shinda03: diary expenditure form. This section includes all diary expenditures during one week and it is filled out four times during the households' period of survey. This section was slightly changed in 2002. It was improved with a personal part of expenditures (the interviewer picks up the diary expenditures form and checks if all expenditures are recorded in the questionnaire.) The expenditure items recorded in the personal part are mostly expenditures on tobacco, catering, petrol and transportation and out of home expenditures. These questionnaire improvements significantly increased recorded expenditures of households.

• Shinda04: quarterly expenditures and agricultural activity form. This section covers quarterly expenditures on durables, energy supplies, health care, education, and other services. The questionnaire also collects information about harvest and processing of agricultural products produced by the household, sale and income from selling these products. The questionnaire is filled out four times, simultaneously with diary expenditures form. This section also features "reminder questions", which help households remember their expenditures. Before the 2002 revisions, section "Shinda04" included also information about employment and income from employment, as well as information on state and private transfers, changes of household financial conditions (spending of savings, savings, or loans and credits, etc.) and changes in demographic conditions.

• Information about public and private transfers, as well as on changes in household financial and demographic conditions is collected in the section Shinda05. The substance of the questions was not changed; however their phrasing was adjusted to make them more understandable for respondents.

• Shinda07: refusal form. This section covers information on non-response or non-eligibility. This form helps correct the weights before data processing.

MSM population size estimates in EECA countries [22–31].

Georgia Internet Access: Households: Tbilisi data was reported at 85.462 % in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 84.567 % for 2017. Georgia Internet Access: Households: Tbilisi data is updated yearly, averaging 84.835 % from Jul 2016 (Median) to 2018, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 85.462 % in 2018 and a record low of 84.567 % in 2017. Georgia Internet Access: Households: Tbilisi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Office of Georgia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Georgia – Table GE.TB002: Share of Households with Internet Access.

Compared to 2019, Airbnb bookings in Tbilisi, Georgia, reduced significantly between March and August 2020, following the coronavirus outbreak. On August 16, 2020 Airbnb received only **** percent of bookings compared to the same period last year.

Abstract

The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is a household survey programme developed by UNICEF to assist countries in filling data gaps for monitoring human development in general and the situation of children and women in particular. MICS is capable of producing statistically sound, internationally comparable estimates of social indicators. The current round of MICS is focused on providing a monitoring tool for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the World Fit for Children (WFFC), as well as for other major international commitments, such as the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS and the Abuja targets for malaria.

Survey Objectives The 2005 Georgia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey has as its primary objectives: - To provide up-to-date information for assessing the situation of children and women in Georgia; - To furnish data needed for monitoring progress toward goals established in the Millennium Declaration, the goals of A World Fit For Children (WFFC), and other internationally agreed upon goals, as a basis for future action; - To contribute to the improvement of data and monitoring systems in Georgia and to strengthen technical expertise in the design, implementation, and analysis of such systems.

Survey Content MICS questionnaires are designed in a modular fashion that can be easily customized to the needs of a country. They consist of a household questionnaire, a questionnaire for women aged 15-49 and a questionnaire for children under the age of five (to be administered to the mother or caretaker). Other than a set of core modules, countries can select which modules they want to include in each questionnaire.

Survey Implementation The survey was carried out by the State Department of Statistics of Georgia and the National Centre for Disease Control of Georgia, with the support and assistance of UNICEF.

Technical assistance and training for the MICS surveys is provided through a series of regional workshops, covering questionnaire content, sampling and survey implementation; data processing; data quality and data analysis; report writing and dissemination.

Geographic coverage

The survey is nationally representative and covers the whole of Georgia.

Analysis unit

Households (defined as a group of persons who usually live and eat together)

De jure household members (defined as memers of the household who usually live in the household, which may include people who did not sleep in the household the previous night, but does not include visitors who slept in the household the previous night but do not usually live in the household)

Women aged 15-49

Children aged 0-4

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents), all women aged 15-49 years resident in the household, and all children aged 0-4 years (under age 5) resident in the household.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The principal objective of the sample design was to provide current and reliable estimates on a set of indicators covering the four major areas of the World Fit for Children declaration, including promoting healthy lives; providing quality education; protecting against abuse, exploitation and violence; and combating HIV/AIDS. The population covered by the 2005 MICS is defined as the universe of all women aged 15-49 and all children aged under 5. A sample of households was selected and all women aged 15-49 identified as usual residents of these households were interviewed. In addition, the mother or the caretaker of all children aged under 5 who were usual residents of the household were also interviewed about the child.

The 2005 MICS collected data from a nationally representative sample of households, women and children. The primary focus of the 2005 MICS was to prodvide estimates of key population and health, education, child protection and HIV related indicators for the country as a whole, and for urban and rural areas separately. In additon, the sample was designed to provide estimates for each of the 11 regions for key indicators. Georgia is devided into 11 regions: Tbilisi, Kakheti, Mtskheta - Mtianeti, Shida Kartli, Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe - Javakheti, Racha - Lechkhumi and Kvemo, Svaneti, Imereti, Guria, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Adjara. The sample frame for this survey was based on the list of enumeration areas developed from the 2002 population census.

The primary sampling unit (PSU), the cluster for the 2005 MICS, is defined on the basis of the enumeration areas from the census frame. The minimum PSU size in Georgia is 11 households and the maximum PSU size is 188 households. The average PSU size is 70.8 households. While constructing the sampling frame the PSUs that are smaller then 30 households is merged with the neighbouring PSUs to achieve the minimum size of PSU equalling to 30 households. Although the original sample design for the Georgia MICS 2005 called for approximately 14000 households with an equal number of clusters (42) of households in each of the 11 regions, stratified into urban and rural areas, this sample design was changed to use a more complicated stratification design, with unequal numbers of clusters in each stratum. The rationale for this was for the selection to more closely follow the population distribution of the population.

The sample was selected in four stages and in the first two stages, sample design was stratified according to 11 regions, 3 settlement types (Large town, Small town, and Village), and 4 geographic strata (Valley, Foothills, Mountain, and High mountain). This stratification was applied in all regions, except the city of Tbilisi where the region is stratified according to 10 districts. In total 49 separate strata were identified. The last two stages of the sample design were for the selection of clusters and households.

First stage of sampling: The number of clusters based on sample size calculations was 467 and these were allocated to regions based on the cube root of the number of households in the region. Because the number of clusters for the Racha-Lechkumi region was small (12 clusters), it was decided to increase the number of clusters in that region by 8 for a total of 20 clusters in that region for a total of 475 clusters nationwide.

Second stage of sampling: Within each region, another level of stratification was on a combination of the following: size of settlement (large town, small town, and village) and topography (valley, foothills, mountain, and mountain). The allocation of the number of clusters for a settlement/topography stratum was based on the square root of the number of households in each stratum. Some regions did not have each of the different size settlements or topography. Also, in Tbilisi, the Rayons (districts) were used for stratification.

Third stage of sampling: Within each stratum, clusters were selected with probability proportional to population size (PPS).

Fourth stage of sampling: Within each cluster, 30 households were systematically selected, resulting with 14,250 households.

The Georgia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey sample is not self-weighted. The basic weighting of the data has been done using the inverse of the probability of selection of each household.

Following standard MICS data collection rules, if a household was actually more than one household when visited, then a) if the selected household contained two households, both were interviewed, or b) if the selected household contained 3 or more households, then only the household of the person named as the head was interviewd.

No replacement of households was permitted in case of non-response or non-contactable households. Adjustments were made to the sampling weights to correct for non-response, according to MICS standard procedures.

The sampling procedures are more fully described in the sampling design document and the sampling appendix of the final report.

Sampling deviation

No major deviations from the original sample design were made. All sample enumeration areas were accessed and successfully interviewed with good response rates.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaires for the Georgia MICS were structured questionnaires based on the MICS3 Model Questionnaire with some modifications and additions. A household questionnaire was administered in each household, which collected various information on household members including sex, age, relationship, and orphanhood status. The household questionnaire includes household listing, education, water and sanitation, household characteristics, child labour, child discipline, disability, and salt iodization.

In addition to a household questionnaire, questionnaires were administered in each household for women age 15-49 and children under age five. For children, the questionnaire was administered to the mother or caretaker of the child.

The women's questionnaire includes child mortality, maternal and newborn health, marriage and union, contraception, attitudes towards domestic violence, HIV knowledge, cigarette smoking, and hemoglobin test.

The children's questionnaire includes birth registration and early learning, child development, breastfeeding, care of illness, immunization*, and anthropometry.

The questionnaires are based on the MICS3 model questionnaire. From the MICS3 model English and Russian versions, the questionnaires were translated into Georgian and were pre-tested in Tbilisi and in Mtskheta-Mtianeti during September 2005. Based on the results of the pre-test, modifications were made to the wording and translation of the

Population: Adult population of Georgia living in Tbilisi-administered territories, except areas of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Sample size: 1,351 completed interviews according to AAPOR standard definitions Fieldwork dates: April 2nd-April 7th, 2020 Minimum response rate (AAPOR RR1): 32.6% Interview mode: Interviewer-administered phone survey (CATI) Interview languages: Georgian, Armenian, Azerbaijani Survey design: Random-Digit-Dial (RDD) sample Primary sampling units: individuals Strata: Capital (Tbilisi), urban, rural settlements Weights: Results are weighted using the 2014 National Census data for adjusting results based on respondents' gender, age, ethnic identity, education, and residence. Average theoretical margin of error does not exceed 2.67% Back checks: Ten percent of all interviews were checked via call-backs.

This study explores public opinion on minimum wage in Georgia, where the legal minimum has remained GEL 20 since 1999. Using a nationally representative phone survey of 1,351 people in April 2020, the research examines attitudes toward introducing and setting a fair minimum wage.

Findings show that about three-quarters of Georgians support a minimum wage, with respondents suggesting an average of GEL 854—far above the subsistence minimum and current legal standard. Men, Tbilisi residents, and ethnic Georgians tend to name higher figures, while women, rural residents, and minorities suggest lower ones. Both employed and unemployed respondents also view a "decent wage" for their occupations as well above current average earnings.

Overall, the study highlights broad public backing for a meaningful minimum wage and strong demand for reform to improve living standards.

The study report can be found in the documentation.

Total Scheduled Flight: Georgia: Tbilisi-Xinjiang: Urumqi data was reported at 5.000 Unit in 24 Nov 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 5.000 Unit for 17 Nov 2025. Total Scheduled Flight: Georgia: Tbilisi-Xinjiang: Urumqi data is updated weekly, averaging 4.000 Unit from Dec 2018 (Median) to 24 Nov 2025, with 200 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.000 Unit in 13 Oct 2025 and a record low of 1.000 Unit in 20 Mar 2023. Total Scheduled Flight: Georgia: Tbilisi-Xinjiang: Urumqi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by VariFlight. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Transportation and Storage Sector – Table CN.TM: VariFlight Flight Statistics: Total Scheduled Flight: Arrival: Xinjiang.

Abstract

The Household Integrated Survey (HIS) in Georgia has been conducted regularly from 1996 and has served to assess the level of consumption-based poverty since then. The HIS represents quarterly panel data. The survey covers 13,404 households over the year. Each month 1/12 of the sample is refreshed (about 228 households are changed in 25 census units).

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Households;
• Individuals.

Universe

The survey covers all household members, excluding persons fully supported by the state, for example persons staying in homes for the elderly and the disabled, children in public care institutions, prisoners, etc.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The survey consists in quarterly interviewing households in Tbilisi and nine regions of Georgia: 1. Kakheti; 2. Tbilisi; 3. Shida Kartli, including Mtskheta-Mtianeti1; 4. Kvemo Kartli; 5. Mtskheta-Mtianeti; 6. Samtskhe-Javakheti; 7. Adjara; 8. Guria; 9. Samegrelo; 10. Imereti, including Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.

The 1989 Population Census served as a sampling frame of the household survey untill 2002. A new census was conducted in early 2002, which enabled development of new sampling design. Transiton to the new sampling design began in April 2002.

In the new design of the survey, stratification of each reagion was mainly carried out by settlement type and settlement altitude. Three types of settled areas according to the structure of employment and incomes were identified: (a) large cities (with population over 50,000); (b) small cities (with population under 50,000); and (c) villages. By altitude, the settlements can be divided into two groups: (1) highland settled areas; and (2) lowland settled areas.

The households are selected according to the same principle as in the old design, but using information from 2002 Population Census.

1. In each stratum, census units are selected with probability proportional to the number of households in census units.
2. The selected census units are actualized. Namely, the household list in a selected census unit is given to an interviewer who determines the changes that have occurred since the last population census (by visiting all households in the unit) and records the existing situation (i.e., whether the address indicated in the list exists or not, whether the dwelling on the indicated address is being used for living, who lives in the indicated address; he/she also enumerates all new dwellings built in the census unit territory from the last census).
3. Households are selected from actualized list according to systematic random sampling method.
4. After the selected households are interviewed four times (once in quarter), they are replaced by households which are next in the list.
5. After all households in census unit participate in the survey, this census unit is replaced by another census unit selected randomly from the same stratum.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire consists of eight sections:

• Shinda01: general information about living conditions, housing, durables, etc. This section remained unchanged since the household survey was introduced in 1996.

• Shinda02: household composition. This section also remained unchanged since the survey inception.

• Shinda03: diary expenditure form. This section includes all diary expenditures during one week and it is filled out four times during the households' period of survey.

• Shinda04: quarterly expenditures and agricultural activity form. This section covers quarterly expenditures on durables, energy supplies, health care, education, and other services. The questionnaire also collects information about harvest and processing of agricultural products produced by the household, sale and income from selling these products. The questionnaire is filled out four times, simultaneously with diary expenditures form. This section also features "reminder questions", which help households remember their expenditures.

• Shinda05: Information about public and private transfers, as well as on changes in household financial and demographic conditions is collected in the section. The substance of the questions was not changed; however their phrasing was adjusted to make them more understandable for respondents.

• Shinda05-1: includes information on employment and incomes from employment of adult household members.

• Shinda07: refusal form. This section covers information on non-response or non-eligibility. This form helps correct the weights before data processing.

• Shinda09: monitoring of Poverty in Georgia.

"Shinda" is a Georgian abbreviation for "observation of households."

Total Operated Flight: Georgia: Tbilisi-Xinjiang: Urumqi data was reported at 7.000 Unit in 28 Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.000 Unit for 21 Apr 2025. Total Operated Flight: Georgia: Tbilisi-Xinjiang: Urumqi data is updated weekly, averaging 3.000 Unit from Dec 2018 (Median) to 28 Apr 2025, with 170 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.000 Unit in 28 Apr 2025 and a record low of 1.000 Unit in 05 Feb 2024. Total Operated Flight: Georgia: Tbilisi-Xinjiang: Urumqi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by CEIC Data. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Transportation and Storage Sector – Table CN.TM: VariFlight Flight Statistics: Total Operated Flight: Arrival: Xinjiang.

Abstract

The Household Integrated Survey (HIS) in Georgia is conducted regularly from 1996 and has served to assess the level of consumption-based poverty since then. The HIS represents quarterly panel data. The survey covers 13,404 households over the year. Each month 1/12 of the sample is refreshed (about 228 households are changed in 25 census units).

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Households;
• Individuals.

Universe

The survey covers all household members, excluding persons fully supported by the state, for example persons staying in homes for the elderly and the disabled, children in public care institutions, prisoners, etc.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The survey consists in quarterly interviewing households in Tbilisi and nine regions of Georgia: 1. Kakheti; 2. Tbilisi; 3. Shida Kartli, including Mtskheta-Mtianeti1; 4. Kvemo Kartli; 5. Mtskheta-Mtianeti; 6. Samtskhe-Javakheti; 7. Adjara; 8. Guria; 9. Samegrelo; 10. Imereti, including Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.

The 1989 Population Census served as a sampling frame of the household survey untill 2002.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire consists of the following sections:

• Shinda01 ("Shinda" is a Georgian abbreviation for "observation of households") : general information about living conditions, housing, durables, etc. This section remained unchanged since the household survey was introduced in 1996.

• Shinda02: household composition. This section also remained unchanged since the survey inception.

• Shinda03: diary expenditure form. This section includes all diary expenditures during one week and it is filled out four times during the households' period of survey. This section was slightly changed in 2002. It was improved with a personal part of expenditures (the interviewer picks up the diary expenditures form and checks if all expenditures are recorded in the questionnaire.) The expenditure items recorded in the personal part are mostly expenditures on tobacco, catering, petrol and transportation and out of home expenditures. These questionnaire improvements significantly increased recorded expenditures of households.

• Shinda04: quarterly expenditures and agricultural activity form. This section covers quarterly expenditures on durables, energy supplies, health care, education, and other services. The questionnaire also collects information about harvest and processing of agricultural products produced by the household, sale and income from selling these products. The questionnaire is filled out four times, simultaneously with diary expenditures form. This section also features "reminder questions", which help households remember their expenditures. Before the 2002 revisions, section "Shinda04" included also information about employment and income from employment, as well as information on state and private transfers, changes of household financial conditions (spending of savings, savings, or loans and credits, etc.) and changes in demographic conditions.

• Information about public and private transfers, as well as on changes in household financial and demographic conditions is collected in the section Shinda05. The substance of the questions was not changed; however their phrasing was adjusted to make them more understandable for respondents.

• Shinda07: refusal form. This section covers information on non-response or non-eligibility. This form helps correct the weights before data processing.

Demographic and behavioral characteristics of participants in three repeated cross-sectional surveys of men who have sex with men; Georgia, 2010–2015.

Abstract

The Georgia Tobacco Survey (GTS) is a panel survery that collects data from smokers (and former smokers in follow-up waves) on tobacco usage in the Eastern European country of Georgia. The survey covers five regions within Georgia (Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Akhaltsikhe and Gori) and consists of three waves: GTS 2017 (wave 1), GTS 2018 (wave 2) and GTS 2019 (wave3). Wave 1 was conducted in November 2017 as a response to the passing of a new tobacco contral law in 2017. Wave 2 was conducted in December 2018 after the tobacco control law was enacted in May 2018. Wave 3 was conducted in May 2019 following an increase in cigarette excise tax in January 2019. Tobacco taxes are critical in reducing tobacco consumption and thereby improving public health. However, the tobacco industry claims that a tax increase will increase the size of the illicit tobacco market. Therefore, the GTS can be used to assess the extent of the illicit tobacco market in the country. This dataset was made available under the SALDRU/Economics of Tobacco Control Projects: Opening Access to Economic Data to Prevent Tobacco- and Alcohol Related Diseases in Africa 2016-2018 (IDRC Project 108098); and Data on Aliments, Tobacco and Alcohol (DATA) in Africa Project (IDRC Project 108772-001)

Geographic coverage

The survey has national coverage, although it is worth noting that data was collected in 5 of Georgia's 12 regions (Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Akhaltsikhe and Gori). These five regions represented 41.2% of the total Georgian population and were chosen based on geographical diversity and/or likely illicit trade hot spots given their proximity to borders.

Analysis unit

Households and individuals

Universe

The Georgia Tobacco Survey covers all adults in households (aged 18 and older).

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Sampling procedure

The sampling began with urban and rural stratification, followed by the selection of primary sampling units (census units in urban strata and villages in rural strata) proportional to population size. Secondary sampling units (households) were then selected using the 'random step method'. If no smokers resided in the selected household, a short general survey was administered to the first adult person answering the door. If the household had a smoker, all smokers were listed and one was randomly selected for the interview. If the selected respondent refused or was not home during any of the three interview attempts, another smoking resident was selected. If no smoking residents were available for interview, the household was recorded as 'non-responding' and the interviewer walked past five households on average (the number varied slightly for urban and rural strata) and selected a replacement household.

Surveyors completed 2997 interviews in wave 1. Of those, 1765 people were successfully re-interviewed in wave 2. These were supplemented with new households (also selected using the 'random step method') which brought the total people interviewed in wave 2 to 3040. In wave 3, there were 1578 people interviewed in both waves 1 and 2 (our panel), 240 people interviewed in wave 1 but not in wave 2, 1036 people only interviewed in wave 2, and 335 people added in wave 3 for the first time. As such, there were 3189 people interviewed in wave 3. For quality control, an independent controller crosschecked a randomly selected 10% of completed interviews in each wave and no major errors were identified.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The surveys conducted in all three waves were similar in format, with a few extra questions added in wave 3 to determine any behavioural changes resulting from the new law and tax increase.

Cleaning operations

The data received by DataFirst had been cleaned, merged, and processed for analysis before arriving at DataFirst. Further to this, significant data cleaning was undertken by DataFirst. DataFirst cleaned unreadable characters, empty variables and redundant variables out of the data. The data was also anonymised. The syntax files for all of this cleaning is available with the data. Additionally, significant cleaning of the geographic variables was necessary (see data quality notes).

Response rate

The total attrition in our panel was 52.6% with attrition varying significantly by region. The highest rate was in Tbilisi (62.7%) followed by Kutaisi (52.2%), Akhaltsikhe (47.4%), Gori (31.9%) and Zugdidi (27.4%). Within each region, there was no significant difference in the likelihood of attrition by gender, employment, the probability of showing a pack or the probability of owning an illicit pack. Given the attrition patterns, the analysis was done by region wherever possible.

Data appraisal

There are a few data quality issues at present:

Time: In the current version 1, there are no usable time variables from any of the waves. There are time variables in wave 1 but it is not clear the units these are measured in - they do not correspond to the usual epoch values one would expect.

Geographic: The locational information was not asked consistently in the questionnaires and the resulting data required some fixing. In urban settings, respondents tended to provide region, city, and city district, whereas in rural areas they provided region, district and village. Furhter, for anonymization village had to be redacted. As such, in urban settings there are 3 geographic levels in the cleaned data but only 2 for rural. Each unique case was also checked on the map and inconsistencies were attempted to be fixed. In some cases inconsistent were unfixable and were then left unchaged.

Weight: At present it is not clear what population totals the weights are calibrated to, or what the data represent when weighted.