Since the onset of the global pandemic earlier this year and the complete halt of household survey field activities (see previous update), lots of activity has been continuing as National Statistical Offices develop and assess guidance and priorities for data collection.
All MICS surveys that had halted data collection have now completed fieldwork, either through resumed fieldwork or following an assessment of completion rates deeming these “close enough” to consider complete under the circumstances.
Surveys originally planned for the second half of 2020 continue to have implementation plans postponed. Most have simply delayed to 2021, whereas a few surveys have been moved to a much later implementation window. For now, only Azerbaijan has confirmed a shift to 2022, effectively moving the survey from a MICS6 to the first listed survey in the upcoming seventh round of the Global MICS Programme (MICS7). The Bosnia and Herzegovina surveys (national and Roma settlements) have been cancelled for now.
Meanwhile, new surveys continue to be added to MICS6. The MICS programme welcomes Vanuatu, who had completed their previous MICS in 2007-2008, and the Federated States of Micronesia, who are joining the MICS programme for the first time.