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by pltm
(PLTM) - How poor is the poorest person, how bad is unemployment, and in what conditions are people in the Territory living? These are some of the questions that a survey that is being carried out by the Central Statistics Office is expected to find out. However, Director of the Central Statistics Office (DCSO,) Raymond Phillips disclosed that the unit is encountering difficulties as it attempts to get this information.
By the end of June, the Central Statistics Office is expected to complete the Survey of Living Conditions and Household Budget Surveys. This completed research is expected to provide a factual picture of the economic and social realities of the Territory. However, it was disclosed that the public is not being as forthcoming with details, and as a result the department may not be able to meet its deadline.
In October last year, it was announced that a combined Survey of Living Conditions and Household Budget Survey was going to be conducted by the Central Statistics Office. These surveys were expected to cover 1000 randomly selected households.
It was reported that this living condition survey utilized the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) Enhanced Country Poverty Assessment methodology, which is more in-depth than traditional income-based poverty measures.
In fact, it was explained that this methodology also examines human development and other aspects such as education, health, living standards and employment.
Data collection for the Survey of Living Conditions and Household Budget Survey commenced in November 2018 and was expected to span more than six months. However, Phillips disclosed during the Standing Finance Committee sittings in April that June might not be a realistic ending point.
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