FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SIB AND UNDP CONDUCT MICROSIMULATION TRAINING FOR THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX

BELMOPAN CITY, BELIZE, February 7, 2025 – The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted a training session today for government officials, development partners, researchers, academia, private sector representatives and policymakers on using microsimulation to predict the potential impact of poverty reduction interventions on multidimensional poverty. This is part of the SIB’s ongoing efforts to promote evidence-based decision-making and the use of data to support national development.

Belize produced its first Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in September 2021 and has continued to update it annually. The MPI provides a comprehensive measure of structural poverty by assessing deprivations in health, education, employment and living standards. Microsimulation builds on this by predicting the potential effects of policies and programs, allowing policymakers to evaluate whether current strategies will be effective in reducing poverty or require adjustments. This approach supports the development of cost-effective and data-driven strategies to ensure interventions have the greatest possible impact on multidimensional poverty levels among households. Today’s session also highlighted how microsimulation can serve as a monitoring tool to track progress toward national poverty reduction goals and maximize resource allocation.

Recognizing the value of this tool, the SIB and UNDP will continue working with line ministries to enhance their capacity in using microsimulation for informed decision-making. Further training sessions will be facilitated to ensure that policymakers can effectively monitor, evaluate, and refine interventions aimed at alleviating multidimensional poverty in Belize.

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For more information, please contact:

Javier Romero
Communications and Marketing Officer
Statistical Institute of Belize
jromero@mail.sib.org.bz
+501 822 2207 ext. 209