PHILIPSBURG:---- The Department of Statistics makes known that while its ongoing Household Budget Survey is making good progress, the department is relying on the continuous cooperation of households, for the remainder of the data-collection phase. The survey which began on April 1st 2015, is presently about 60% complete, and is slated to continue until end of October this year.
STAT remains pleased with the level of cooperation received from participating households thus far, as well as the efforts of its survey-team including field-interviewers.
The Household Budget Survey is being carried out amongst a random- sample of approximately 1,000 households on Dutch St. Maarten. To date, the department has not yet successfully contacted all households which form part of the sample-selection, in order to schedule their participation. As STAT prepares for the final weeks of the survey, it is informing the general public that the department is still in the process of approaching
these households and confirming the exact period for the survey to be completed.
The survey aims to capture recent data on household income, as well as past & present expenditures. Remaining selected households can expect to give input on the survey over a 2-week period. This involves providing details of their expenditure on several categories of goods & services; this part is recorded via tablets. Additionally, STAT will also provide an Expense Diary to the household, where all spending over the 14 days should be noted, and corresponding receipts kept.
The public is being asked to fully comply with both components of this important survey, as it is conducted only once in 5 to 7 years and the collected data is the basis to renew Consumer Price Index (cost-of living) calculations more in line with current realities. This can only be achieved with the thorough responses from all participants.
STAT reminds the public also that as with each of its statistical enquiries, participation is mandatory by law (Statistics Ordinance AB 2013, GT no.450). All data provided to STAT will be handled in strict confidence, and for the sole purpose of producing statistical information.
STAT thanks its partners Le Grand Marche, Sunny Foods, Cost-U-Less, TelEM & UTS for the opportunity to offer households a redeemable voucher following their successful completion.
