Interviewers from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) will be out in their numbers starting, when data collection for the 2026 Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) is set to begin.

The JSLC is an annual household survey, which is a joint exercise between STATIN and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). The survey provides important information on the social and economic well-being of Jamaicans.

Director of Field Services at STATIN, Philone Mantock, says this year’s survey will target 3,900 dwellings and will be ongoing for a period of three months. The field team of STATIN has a complement of 110 persons that includes interviewers and supervisors, who will all be issued with a STATIN ID that clearly indicates their name and that they work at STATIN.

Survey used to inform national policy and programmes

The questionnaires will collect information covering various modules and indicators, which is used to inform policy and measure the impact and effectiveness of several social programmes. Acting Director of the Surveys Division at STATIN, Nichole Allen, gave an overview of what is to be collected in the interviews.

According to her, “Among the various modules and indicators in JSLC, we have the food and non-food expenditure modules that allow us to provide data to assess the poverty situation of Jamaicans. We also collect data on education, on health circumstances and access to healthcare in Jamaica. We collect information on the access to information and communications and technology indicators for Jamaica.”

For her part, Director of Policy Research in the Social Policy Planning and Research Division of the PIOJ, Suzette Johnson pointed to the value and importance of the survey.

Between September 16 and December 16, 2026, STATIN interviewers will visit selected households across Jamaica to collect information that will provide an updated picture of the living conditions and well-being of the population. 

STATIN is responsible for data collection while the PIOJ is responsible for data analysis and preparation of the JSLC Report.

The success of the JSLC depends on the participation of households selected for the survey, and every selected household that participates helps to improve the quality and usefulness of the information produced from the survey.