Survey of Living Conditions ‘extremely important’

THE 2016 BARBADOS Survey of Living Conditions has been described as an extremely useful tool that will provide policymakers with the relevant data to make important decisions for citizens.

Therefore, field manager of the survey, Anne Hamilton-Cutting, is encouraging householders to participate in the year-long survey and fully cooperate with the enumerators who will be visiting their homes.

Hamilton-Cutting said: “The response to the survey has been good; most people are responding well to it and giving the required information. However, there have been some cases where we have had refusals and we want to encourage the respondents to assist us by giving this vital information.

“This survey is strictly confidential and your personal information will not be taken and put anywhere. The data will be aggregated and produced to help the policymakers but you can be guaranteed that, according to the Statistical Act, the information is strictly confidential.”

The household survey will provide country-level information on several key welfare measures such as consumption and income levels, children’s wellbeing, education, health and housing. It is being executed by the Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank.

According to Hamilton-Cutting, the survey would provide key information to policymakers and decision makers, which they could use for several purposes.

 “It will help in updating the Retail Price Index to enable a better estimation of country-level inflation. It will also assist in designing better targeted mechanisms for social programmes and improving the measurement of poverty and inequality in Barbados.

“The survey will help the policymakers make the decisions that will help Barbados move forward. So if you are selected, we want you to really get on board because it gives you an opportunity to assist in the decision making process in our country,” she stressed.

After three intense weeks of training for the interviewers and supervisors in January, the survey commenced last month and will continue until January 2017.

Hamilton-Cutting explained that 24 enumeration districts would be covered each month, and at the end of the period, approximately 3 500 householders would be interviewed.

She pointed out that enumerators would be in the districts at various times during the day, evening and weekends.  “We are seeking to set up interviews or appointments beforehand so we have someone expediting the process by going before the interviewer and giving important details,” she stated.

Those members of the public who are interested in getting more information on the survey should call the BSS at 625-2500. (BGIS)