The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, or MICS, was launched by UNICEF in the mid-1990s to provide governments and policymakers with reliable data on the well-being of women and children. Over the past 20 years, MICS has been conducted in 120 countries, becoming a key tool for tracking progress toward global development targets, such as the Sustainable Development Goals. The survey gathers information on issues ranging from maternal and child health to education, child mortality, child protection, and access to water and sanitation.
To date, Belize has successfully implemented four rounds of the MICS – MICS 3 (2006), MICS 4 (2011), MICS 5 (2015), and MICS 7 (2025). The MICS is one of the most extensive household surveys carried out by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), second only to the Population and Housing Census. It is an essential component for monitoring and reporting on national development policies such as The Children’s Agenda 2017-2030; Plan Belize Medium Term Development Strategy; Breastfeeding Policy; Nutrition Policy, Early Childhood Development Policy; Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy; Education Sector Strategy; Health Strategic Plan; Social Protection Floor Initiative; National Parenting Strategy; National Gender Policy; National AIDS Policy; Adolescent Health National Strategic Plan, and the National Youth Policy. Participation in the MICS supports the SIB’s mandate to collect, compile, analyze, and disseminate official statistics on Belize and will provide valuable information for evidence-based planning and decision-making.