CAPI method faces resistance in gathering accurate economic data

Muhammad Ayub Ali :

Due to the fear of paying income tax and VAT, both large business owners and small shopkeepers are reluctant to provide accurate information, which could impact the overall quality of the census.

While shop owners are willing to share expenditure details, many are hesitant to disclose income figures, forcing data collectors to estimate income based on expenditure.

This is the first time that census data is being collected using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) method, with nearly 70 questions included in the Economic Census.

For the first time, the census will detail the number of foreign
workers in the country, the types of organisations they work for, and how many are male and female.

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics conducts such a census every ten years to assess the economic condition of the country.

Sonia Arefin, Deputy Director of the Industry and Labour Wing, told The New Nation that collecting accurate economic information from respondents is extremely difficult, as many try to conceal their income details.

When a data collector in the city’s Poltan area asked a respondent about their current wealth, income, and expenditure for the 2023-24 fiscal year, the respondent either avoided the question or provided an estimated answer.

This reporter observed three instances in the Poltan area where data collectors faced difficult situations.

Mohammad Habib, a data collector, stated that income data from grocery stores and markets is largely estimated, as many shopkeepers refuse to provide accurate figures.

Additionally, many establishments are willing to share expenditure information but are reluctant to disclose income details, a challenge noted by field workers and project officials in Ashulia, Savar, during data collection.

Economic Census Deputy Project Director Mizanur Rahman acknowledged the difficulty of obtaining accurate economic data through this process, noting that there is no alternative approach.

He explained, “It is truly our limitation. We are learning from the difficulties we face, and we must improve our process.”

According to data from 95,000 data collectors across the country, data is being gathered for the Economic Census 2024. The collection will continue for 15 consecutive days, ending on 26 December.