The Department of Statistics (STAT) says 80 per cent of known addresses have been visited and there is just two weeks left to complete the fieldwork for the household listing survey of the remaining 20 per cent.
STAT interviewers are covering the remaining streets on Dutch Sint Maarten, and will be revisiting addresses where households were previously unavailable or missed.
This upcoming weekend STAT staff will be collecting data with an extra effort on Pelican/Billy Folly, Maho and Cupecoy/Lowlands where up until now the response rate has been rather low. This is due to security challenges and access to homes, access to individuals and a large number of vacation homes.
The department is making an appeal to the general public to participate in the survey to ensure a comprehensive count of households and residents of the country.
During the final week and as a last resort, STAT surveyors will also be approaching some household members via their place of employment. In some instances, persons can expect to receive an email-version of the questionnaire via their employers.
STAT interviewed Keith Graham recently who stated the following: "Found the experience to be quite painless and it took so little time. I hope that all households would realize how important this survey is and will cooperate fully."
Overall the response on the household listing survey has been good. The community is reminded that all residents are legally required to participate.
The questionnaire is short and direct and the results will help Sint Maarten as a developing nation to be certain about its population number, composition and characteristics. These statistics are the cornerstone for setting future policies, plans and programs geared towards our young, working-class and senior citizens of the country.
STAT is emphasizing that the legal base for the household listing survey is the national Statistics Ordinance (AB 2013, GT no.450).
Article seven of the ordinance says that if individuals do not STAT interviewers are approaching homes up to 8.00pm each day and on weekends.
STAT falls under the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Interviewer carrying out a less than 10 minute interview for basic information with Keith Graham.