Economic Census 2024 faces challenges in accurate income data collection

Field workers involved in the Economic Census 2024 are encountering difficulties in collecting accurate income data from establishments, which could affect the overall quality of the census.

Many establishments are providing expenditure information but are reluctant to disclose income details, forcing data collectors to estimate income based on expenditures.

This issue was highlighted by field workers and project officials in Ashulia, Savar, during data collection visits.

Data collector Mohammad Selim Hossain told TBS, "Most ready-made garment industry establishments here do not want to disclose their income or capital information. Some establishments ask us to leave our questions, saying they will try to provide the information later, but income and capital details remain undisclosed."

Another enumerator, Mohammad Al Amin, shared similar experiences, stating, "Income data from grocery stores and markets are mostly estimated since many shopkeepers refuse to disclose accurate figures. I rely on local knowledge and sales patterns to approximate their income."

Most ready-made garment industry establishments here do not want to disclose their income or capital information.

Data collector Mohammad Selim Hossain 

Al Amin estimated about 80% of the income data he collected from 90 units was based on approximations.

Md Anwar Hossain, supervisor of Zone-14, overseeing 100 industrial establishments, said data collectors face significant challenges gaining access to large factories.

"They often tell us the managing director is unavailable and ask us to return another day, leading to repeated visits with no guarantee of cooperation," he explained.

To address these issues, Project Director SM Shakil Akhtar stressed that establishments are assured their information will remain confidential.

"We explain that the data will not be shared with banks or the NBR. If establishments still refuse to provide income details after multiple attempts, we record their unwillingness," he said.

Shakil also highlighted that this year's census, conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), employs a Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (Capi) method using tablets.

"For the first time, we are collecting information on foreign workers in the country, including their roles, industries, and gender," he added.
By today, 72% of the required data had been collected, with detailed information being gathered from 1.22 crore identified units.

The Economic Census 2024, running from 10 December to 26 December, aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of structural changes in the economy, the structure of non-agricultural activities, and other key metrics.

It also seeks to classify establishments based on capital and manpower and offer updated data to policymakers, planners, and researchers for industrial development.

Economist Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, chairman of Research and Policy Integration for Development, raised concerns about potential gaps in information.

"If accurate data is not collected, any future plans based on this information will lack credibility. BBS should conduct thorough evaluations before undertaking large surveys to ensure data reliability," he cautioned.  

The census, conducted every 10 years, is the fourth of its kind in Bangladesh. It raises about 70 questions to gain insights into the country's economic activities and provide valuable information to stakeholders.