The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has launched a pilot survey in eight regions of the country.
The pilot survey began yesterday and will run until 20 October, said NSA statistician general and chief executive Alex Shimuafeni in a recent media release.
This is to test the readiness of the country to conduct the Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey (NHIES) 2025/26.
The NHIES is held every five years to gather information on Namibia’s household income and expenditure.
This information is instrumental in calculating poverty and inequality indicators.
Shimuafeni said the data collected will be used for planning and monitoring the development of projects.
“The NHIES will kick off with a pilot survey in the Erongo, Hardap, Kavango West, Khomas, Kunene, Omaheke, Omusati and Zambezi regions.
These regions and specific areas were randomly chosen and the purpose is to test different areas and terrain to prepare adequately,” he said.
Shimuafeni noted that the NHIES pilot survey will test and refine the methodology, survey tools and logistics, with the insights used only to improve the survey tools like questionnaires, to ensure the success of the full survey from March 2025 to March 2026.
He said before the deployment of the pilot survey on 27 September, NHIES staff took an oath of secrecy to uphold the privacy and confidentiality of all respondents’ information and adhere to legal provisions.
During the NHIES pilot programme, households will be provided with daily record books to self-administer and record their daily household spending and consumption, while the interviewers will come to record the incomes and expenditures that are not frequent, he added.
“Through such preparations, the pilot ensures that the main NHIES can run smoothly and collect high-quality data on household income, expenditure and living conditions across Namibia.”
The overall survey findings will be able to support planning, policy formulation and decision-making, as well as research and development for a knowledge-based economy, to eradicate poverty and income inequalities in Namibia, he said. – email: matthew@namibian.com.na
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