Survey Launched to Assess Cost of Living and Poverty in Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia has launched a nationwide survey to track cost-of-living trends, poverty levels, and household spending patterns.

The Survey of Living Conditions and Household Budgets, which runs from April 2025 to March 2026, will collect crucial data on how Saint Lucians earn, spend, and manage daily expenses. 

Led by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and supported by the World Bank as part of the OECS Data for Decision Making Project, the study will play a critical role in shaping policies that impact everyday life, officials said during its launch on Tuesday.

“The information collected will help us update the poverty profile of Saint Lucia and identify vulnerable sectors of the population,” said Director of Statistics at the CSO Sean Mathurin. “Additionally, it will allow us to monitor inflationary pressures and produce more reliable CPI [Consumer Price Index] data.”

The last survey, conducted in 2016, played a vital role in updating Saint Lucia’s CPI—a key measure of inflation and cost-of-living changes. This year’s study will build on that foundation, capturing shifts in poverty levels, economic pressures, and household conditions.

Over 12 months – from April 2025 to March 2026 – 1 500 households will be surveyed, ensuring the data reflects seasonal changes in the economy, particularly in tourism-related employment and household income.

For the first time, tablet-based digital data collection will replace paper forms, increasing efficiency and accuracy. 

“With digital tools, we can avoid issues like illegible handwriting and speed up data processing,” Mathurin explained. As a result of this technological upgrade, preliminary results could be available within three to four months after data collection ends.

The findings will guide policymakers, businesses, and organisations in making data-driven decisions to support economic resilience, consumer protection, and poverty reduction across Saint Lucia.