At a glance: Korea, Democratic People's Republic of

DPR Korea is first country to launch Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, round four

© UNICEF DPRK/2009/Rhiannon

A female interviewer in Pyongyang City's Potonggang District collects household information on education, water and sanitation, and maternal and child health as part of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, round four.

PYONGYANG, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, 2 November 2009 – On a crisp autumn morning, Choe Un Ju was notified by the local statistical office that her household had been randomly selected to take part in the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS).

Later that day, a female interviewer arrived at Ms. Choe’s home to collect information about the household. The interview contained questions covering a variety of indicators, ranging from education to health and hygiene. Handwashing and sanitation facilities in the home were observed and noted.

At the end of the interview, another survey team member brought in equipment to weigh and measure Ms. Choe’s four-year-old daughter and six–month-old son.

Progress toward development goals
 
Other than the census, MICS is the largest collection of nationally representative data carried out in DPR Korea. The survey provides countries with the information they need to accurately monitor their progress toward national goals and global commitments – including the Millennium Development Goals.

Earlier this year, a government steering committee was established to undertake the survey preparations in DDP Korea with assistance from an international consultant and the UNICEF Asia-Pacific Shared Service Centre.

© UNICEF DPRK/2009/Chol

UNICEF and World Food Programme staff in Myonggan County, North Hamgyong Province, participate in monitoring field work and observing data collection as part of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey.

Collecting data

UNICEF and World Food Programme staff are now monitoring the field work and observing the data collection efforts.

The MICS data collection in DPR Korea represents the launch of the fourth global round of the survey. In response to an increased demand for up-to-date data with which to monitor the situation of children and women, UNICEF now provides assistance for countries to collect MICS data every three years instead of every five.