Inter-American Development Bank (2023). 2022 Suriname Survey of Living Conditions. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/b8azn3lg

1. English

Household; Individual

Who conducted the survey and what is its purpose?

The survey was supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in collaboration with the Government of Suriname.
Its purpose is to generate reliable estimates of poverty and inequality using a consumption-based methodology, thereby enabling evidence-based policy decisions on social protection and development.

What information does the dataset include?

The dataset includes: * Household characteristics — size, composition, and demographics.
Consumption and expenditure data — food, non-food, housing, and durable goods.
Income and social transfers — wages, pensions, and government assistance.
Education and health indicators — access, enrollment, and service use.
Geographic and regional identifiers — to support spatial inequality analysis.

How was poverty measured in this study?

The poverty analysis employs a consumption-based approach, adjusting expenditures for household size and regional cost-of-living differences.
Poverty lines were estimated using 2017 and 2022 Consumer Price Index (CPI) data to ensure comparability over time.

What is the coverage and sample design?

The dataset represents a nationally representative sample of households across all ten districts of Suriname.
Fieldwork was conducted between January and December 2022, covering both urban and rural areas.

How can this dataset be used?

Researchers and policymakers can use the Suriname 2022 Poverty Dataset to: * Estimate poverty incidence and depth.
Analyze income inequality using Gini coefficients.
Examine education and health disparities across regions.
Assess the impact of social programs and transfers on household welfare.
Explore consumption patterns and inflation-adjusted living costs.

What are the main findings reflected in the dataset?

Preliminary findings reveal significant differences in poverty rates and consumption levels across regions.
Urban areas exhibit higher income and employment, whereas rural and interior districts face greater vulnerability and limited access to services.

How does this dataset relate to previous surveys?

The 2022 survey follows up on earlier household consumption surveys (notably 2016–2017) to allow longitudinal comparisons of poverty and inequality trends in Suriname.

What are the dataset’s limitations?

Users should note: * Some variables may have missing or imputed values due to non-responses.
Price and inflation adjustments rely on CPI data for comparability.
Microdata access may require adherence to confidentiality protocols.

Is Suriname Latino?

Although located in South America, Suriname’s cultural identity is distinct—shaped by South Asian, African, Indigenous, Javanese, and Dutch influences — setting it apart from the Spanish-speaking nations often associated with the term “Latino.”