Since the survey launched in August, enumerators have already interviewed thousands of households, marking one of the most extensive national data-collection efforts currently taking place in the region.
MICS-7, guided by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and conducted by the Central Statistical Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, captures detailed information on the well-being of children, women, men and families. The survey covers issues such as early childhood development, health, education, disability inclusion, nutrition, household conditions, and access to essential services, data that officials say is urgently needed to understand how Saint Lucians are living today.
Ministry of Equity officials say the ongoing fieldwork is critical because Saint Lucia’s last comprehensive dataset of this kind is several years old, and many of the challenges communities face have evolved rapidly. Updated statistics will give policymakers a clear picture of where gaps exist and where investments will have the greatest impact.
Tanzi Toussaint, Director of Social Transformation and MICS-7 focal-point within the Ministry says, the survey is already proving its worth. “This is more than a data exercise, MICS-7 is helping us understand real lives in real time,” she said. “Every household that opens its door is helping us build the evidence needed to strengthen social programmes, protect vulnerable children, and improve services for families across the country.”
She added that the quality of the data depends heavily on public trust and full participation. “We need households to feel safe, respected, and heard during the process,” Toussaint said. “The stronger the response, the more accurate our national picture will be, and the better we can design policies that truly meet people’s needs.”
Enumerators have so far reported high levels of cooperation, and officials say the field teams are trained to ensure confidentiality and professionalism throughout the process. While the survey’s primary purpose is statistical, the interactions between fieldworkers and citizens have also surfaced immediate needs in some communities, allowing social services to make timely referrals.
MICS-7 data will feed directly into national development planning, budget decisions, and progress tracking for the Sustainable Development Goals. Once analysis is complete, the findings will be published in user-friendly reports so that government agencies, civil-society organisations, educators, and community groups can apply the information to their work.
Authorities are encouraging all selected households to continue welcoming enumerators as fieldwork continues. Officials say the final dataset will play a defining role in shaping policies that touch every aspect of daily life, education quality, child protection systems, healthcare access, poverty reduction strategies, and support for vulnerable families.
The Ministry of Equity describes the survey as a crucial investment in the country’s future, noting that decisions grounded in modern, high-quality data put Saint Lucia in a stronger position to understand its challenges and respond with precision.