Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) on Tuesday kick-started an 18-day nationwide household listing exercise as a critical preparatory phase for the 2025 Zimbabwe Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), set to be conducted in September and October.
Running until 8 August, the listing phase will see ZIMSTAT enumerators visiting households in selected enumeration areas across the country. Enumerators will be carrying official identification letters to authenticate their credentials and ensure public confidence.
“The listing is a crucial preparatory step ahead of the main data collection phase, which is scheduled for September/October 2025. It allows us to build an accurate sampling frame and ensure quality data collection when the actual survey begins,” ZIMSTAT said.
The MICS is a globally standardised household survey programme initiated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and implemented locally under the Census and Statistics Act. It is designed to generate internationally comparable data on critical indicators related to the well-being of women and children.
ZIMSTAT underscored that the data collected during the exercise will be used exclusively for statistical purposes, adding that all information is treated with the strictest confidentiality.
“This is a vital national survey, and the support of communities will help Zimbabwe make evidence-based decisions that improve lives,” ZIMSTAT added.
The agency has appealed to households in the selected areas to cooperate fully with enumerators during the exercise.
The 2025 MICS will play a pivotal role in monitoring Zimbabwe’s progress on national development objectives, including the drive to achieve upper middle-income status by 2030, as well as meeting commitments under global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Data from past MICS editions has informed policies across sectors including health, education, water and sanitation, and child protection making this year’s survey an essential tool for national planning and international reporting.
