Grenada is set to undertake a comprehensive national assessment of living standards and economic conditions through a joint initiative between the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and the World Bank. The Survey of Living Conditions (SLC) and Household Budget Survey (HBS), scheduled to commence in February 2026, will provide critical data to shape the nation’s development agenda.
Operating under the legal authority of the Statistics Act (No. 30 of 1960 and No. 21 of 1961), this landmark study aims to achieve three primary objectives: precisely measure poverty levels across Grenadian society, collect detailed household expenditure and income patterns, and generate essential social and economic indicators to guide national planning strategies.
The CSO has emphasized the strict confidentiality protocols governing the survey process. All field interviewers will be administered a formal Oath of Secrecy before commencing their duties, legally binding them to protect respondent information. The agency has assured citizens that all collected data will only be disseminated in aggregated form, with severe penalties for any violations of confidentiality protocols.
Government officials highlight the survey’s critical importance in addressing pressing national challenges including poverty, unemployment, and inequality. The resulting indicators will serve as fundamental tools for analyzing Grenada’s economic and social progress, enabling evidence-based policy formulation.
The Central Statistical Office is actively seeking public cooperation, particularly from households selected for participation. Officials stress that accurate responses to survey questionnaires are essential for the study’s overall success and its ability to generate reliable insights for national development planning.