The Department of Statistics (STAT) and its 25 interviewers after one month out in the field for the household listing survey have visited 35 per cent of addresses (approximately 6,200). The survey will continue for the next six weeks or through mid-April.
Since the start of the survey at the beginning of February STAT interviewers have experienced good cooperation from households, in terms of willingness to participate in this survey.
STAT continues to highlight the fact that the data being asked and gathered from the population will be used for statistical purposes only.
The objectives of the survey are not to share information with tax or immigration departments for their line of work, and as such no exchange of this kind will take place.
STAT is counting on all households in the country to partake in the survey, which serves to reconfirm the population size of Dutch Sint Maarten, and determine in as far as possible, how many of the registered population could actually be found as resident in the country.
The questionnaire consists of a short list of questions, related to the age, gender, country-of-birth and nationality of each member of the household.
Persons will also be asked to verify their address, and number of units on each property as well as if they are registered at the Civil Registry Department.
STAT interviewers are approaching homes up to 8.00pm each day and on weekends. Where persons are not found at home, an appointment card is left behind. STAT is urging residents to make use of the appointment cards and contact the department at its general telephone number 549-0235, to have a convenient date and time set for your household to complete the survey.
STAT asks that household members inform one another once an interview has taken place for the Household Listing Survey, in order that everyone in the home is aware and can pass on this information to STAT staff.
STAT falls under the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication.
PHOTO CUTLINE: L to R, A STAT interviewer (left) with homeowner Tadzio Bervoets (left) after completing the interview which took five minutes.