• http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0013765

Pombo, Cristina, et al. (2025). Citizen Survey on Government Transactions and Equity, 2023-2024. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/vgjju86h

1. Spanish

What is the purpose of this dataset?

The dataset captures the experiences of adult citizens with government services across 11 Latin American and Caribbean countries. It focuses on service access, barriers, satisfaction, and digital readiness.

Which countries are included in the survey?

Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.

What population does the dataset represent?

Nationally representative samples of adults aged 18 and older in each country, stratified by sex, age, ethnicity, education level, and urban/rural location.

What types of government services are covered?

The survey includes 12 service categories, such as identification, health, education, social benefits, justice, taxation, housing, migration, employment, and business registration.

Does the dataset include digital access and connectivity indicators?

Yes. The dataset includes indicators on internet access, device ownership, satisfaction with internet quality, and confidence in digital skills across seven tasks.

Can I analyze service access barriers?

Yes. Respondents report reasons for failed access attempts, including cost, digital usability, service availability, and personal limitations such as literacy, disability, and language clarity.

Are there variables related to corruption and trust?

Yes. The dataset includes experiences with bribery, the use of personal contacts, and the offering of sexual favors, along with reporting behavior and satisfaction with complaint processes.

Is the dataset weighted for representativeness?

Yes. Country-level and regional weights (LAC_weight) are provided, calibrated using census and household survey benchmarks.

Are the time and effort costs associated with service access included?

Yes. Variables include time spent on digital and in-person procedures, number of visits, travel time, queue time, and total effort, with values cleaned for outliers and implausible entries.

Can I disaggregate results by demographic groups?

Yes. All key indicators can be disaggregated by sex, age, ethnicity (including indigenous and Afro-descendant identifiers), disability status, education level, and urban/rural location.

Is there data on citizen preferences for future service channels?

Yes. Respondents indicate preferred channels (online, in-person, hybrid) and reasons for avoiding digital options.

What formats are available for analysis?

The dataset is available in Stata format, accompanied by a variable dictionary and technical manual.

How do citizens feel about their government's overall performance and effectiveness?

Satisfaction is measured at the level of specific government services and procedures; there is no direct rating of overall government performance.

What factors most significantly influence public trust in governmental institutions?

Variables on service access barriers, corruption experiences, and satisfaction with delivery can be used to infer key drivers of trust, though they do not directly measure trust itself.

What is the impact of perceived government corruption on citizen satisfaction levels?

Experiences with bribery, use of personal contacts, and reporting behavior are captured, enabling analysis of how corruption relates to satisfaction with government services.

Is there citizen feedback on the administration and accessibility of national healthcare systems?

Yes. Healthcare service access, use of digital health tools, and satisfaction with health-related procedures are included in the dataset.

How do government support programs for low-income households affect beneficiary satisfaction?

Access to social benefits and satisfaction with related procedures are covered, allowing targeted analysis of how support programs affect beneficiary experience.

Is there a comparison of public satisfaction with education policy in urban versus rural areas?

Yes. Education-related service access and satisfaction are disaggregated by urban/rural location, enabling comparative analysis.

What key metrics and methodologies are commonly employed to measure government satisfaction globally?

The dataset uses service-specific satisfaction ratings, access barriers, and digital usability metrics. It does not include explicit global benchmarking but aligns with common satisfaction measurement practices.

How satisfied are citizens with the transparency and accountability of their government?

The dataset measures corruption experiences and reporting behavior, offering insight into transparency, though it does not directly capture perceptions of overall accountability.

What is the public perception of government efficiency in delivering essential public services?

Satisfaction with service delivery, ease of access, and time required for procedures serve as key indicators of perceived efficiency in public service delivery.