Albania to have its new living standard measurement survey

TIRANA, May 25 – UNDP and the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) launched a one-year project that will allow INSTAT to carry out the Living Standard Measurement Survey (LSMS) for Albania.
Data collected through the survey serve as a basis for policy and decision-making, and allows for the monitoring of social and economic government programs laid out in the National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI). One of the main outcomes of the survey is the measurement of poverty in the country.
The LSMS 2008 will include a number of field visits and household questionnaires for a total sample of around 4000 units. The results will then be analyzed and shared with the government and other concerned groups at the beginning of 2009.
The LSMS 2008 will measure progress made by Albania since 2005, when the last poverty estimate was completed. It will also be used to update nearly all MDG data relating to indicators in education, health, labor, water and sanitation. The LSMS 2008 will also serve as a powerful tool for the evaluation and targeting of social spending in education, health and social assistance.
One survey module will look specifically at governance in education and health, in order to better inform policy options in these sectors.
Ines Nurja, INSTAT General Director said, based on the experience of the two previous surveys, INSTAT is concentrating its efforts on high quality analysis of the data. Continuity of the LSMS is an important element to support policies, including updated figures on poverty and social inclusion, she said.
“It is partnerships and long-term engagements that really determine sustainability, and are the best example to build capacities in Albania,” said Andrew Dabalen, World Bank Senior Economist. “You can see how the capacities of INSTAT have deepened since collaboration on the first LSMS. This couldn’t have happened without partnerships between the World Bank, the Department of Strategy and Donor Coordination, the Government, INSTAT, DFID, the United Nations and others. INSTAT is doing exceptionally well with very little input.”
“Diverse projects within the One UN Program in Albania refer to the importance of data and statistical analytical capacity to ensure that the Government has the right data to monitor and evaluate government programs and strengthen evidence-based policy-making,” said Gulden Turkoz-Cosslett, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative.
This project is a joint effort of INSTAT and UNDP and is part of the Delivering as One UN Program in Albania. The World Bank is providing technical expertise and quality control throughout the project, and supported previous LSMS’.
The project is funded through the One UN Coherence Fund which has, to date, received contributions from Norway, Spain and Switzerland – strong supporters of UN reform. (Tirana Times Staff)