Syria signs memorandum of understanding for Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

DAMASCUS, 13 September 2025 - Today, UNICEF and the Planning and Statistics Commission in the Syrian Arab Republic signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025-2026.

Since its inception in the mid-1990s, MICS programme is a standardised household survey tool, and it has become one of the world’s largest sources of statistical information on children and women. As an important tool for monitoring national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), MICS7 provides nationally representative and internationally comparable data on children and their living environment.

The last MICS in Syria was carried out in 2006, making this upcoming survey a unique and historic opportunity and milestone.

“We are pleased to sign the MICS agreement with UNICEF,” said Mr. Anas Radwan Salim, Director, the Planning and Statistics Commission in the Syrian Arab Republic. “This is a major and long-awaited milestone, that is timely essential and pivotal in informing policy decisions, programme interventions, and public advocacy on issues affecting children and women.” In line with its mandate to produce and disseminate Syria’s official statistical figures, the Planning and Statistics Commission will implement MICS7 in close collaboration with the line ministries and UNICEF. 

“This survey comes at a very critical time since the country has undergone profound social and economic changes,“ said Ms. Meritxell Relaño Arana, Representative, UNICEF in the Syrian Arab Republic. “The MICS will not only provide essential evidence for monitoring progress on the situation of children and women towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but it will also play a pivotal role in assessing progress against Syria’s Vision 2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

“MICS is not just about data, it is about building national systems and capacities,” added Relaño Arana. “It will equip the Commission and line ministries with the tools, technology, and knowledge to better understand children’s realities and take action to improve their lives.” MICS7 will cover half of all household survey-based SDG indicators, making it an indispensable resource for policymakers, researchers, and the international community working to ensure that no child is left behind.

Under the supervision of the Planning and Statistics Commission in the Syrian Arab Republic, UNICEF held a four-day survey design workshop in July 2025 bringing together line ministries and other UN agencies in preparation for the survey. The data collection and analysis process, which typically takes around 18 months, is expected to conclude with results published by the end of 2026.

Note to editors

About the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS):
Since its inception in the mid-1990s, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys programme, known as MICS, has become the largest source of statistically sound and internationally comparable data on children and women worldwide. In countries as diverse as Bangladesh, Thailand, Fiji, Qatar, Côte d’Ivoire, Turkmenistan and Argentina, trained fieldwork teams conduct face-to-face interviews with household members on a variety of topics – focusing mainly on those issues that directly affect the lives of children and women.

MICS is an integral part of the plans and policies of many governments around the world, and a major data source for 40 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators. The MICS programme continues to evolve with new methodologies and initiatives, including MICS Plus, MICS Link, MICS GIS and the MICS Tabulator.