The Solomon Islands National Statistics Office

Knowing First Aid is very important, we can save lives.
Statisticians Esther Aruhane and Graeme Risoni were part of a two-day First Aid training delivered for Finance and Treasury officers by Red Cross. The training ends tomorrow.

FIRST PRE-TEST FOR MICS CONCLUDES SUCESSFULLY

A three-day pre-test was successfully carried out in Honiara for the country’s inaugural Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, MICS, scheduled later in 2026.

The Solomon Islands National Statistics Office in partnership with UNICEF kicked off the 3-day questionnaire pre-test fieldwork on Monday 30th March, the culmination of an intensive two weeks training for trainers and supervisors.

The objectives of the pre-test is to verify that the questionnaires are functioning well in the Solomon Islands’ context.

The specific objective included that the;
• translations are accurate
• standard questions are clear
• survey-specific response categories are adequate for the survey population
• survey-specific questions and modules are identified so that extra training can focus on these questions during the fieldwork training
• Respondents do not misinterpret the questions during the fieldwork training
• Changes in wording or improved translation have been incorporated when required
• The questionnaires flow smoothly

The participants were deployed into five teams containing four enumerators and a supervisor for the first two days at the Rove Police Married Quarters and concluded the program at Foxwood in Ghaobata Ward on Wednesday. Each interviewer was tasked to complete a minimum two Household questionnaires plus all eligible individuals questionnaires (Women/Men 15-49, Children 5-17 and Children Under Five) per day.

They were able to apply the knowledge and skills from their training and experience the challenges associated with the fieldwork.

The MICS is a globally recognized household survey tool, developed by UNICEF in 1995. It has since become the world's largest source of statistically sound and internationally comparable data on the well-being of children and women and a major source for Substantiable Development Goals (SDGs)

For Solomon Islands, participating in MICS for the first time represents a significant milestone in its ability to produce high-quality data that can be compared with over eight Pacific Island countries who have already completed national MICS and over 400 other countries globally.

The Solomon Islands National Statistics Office, SINSO, on behalf of the National Government is partnering with UNICEF to implement the MICS

ENDS.///

On the field again.
A pre-test for the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, MICS, is currently underway at the Rove Police Married quarters.
Starting on Monday, participants who attended a two-week intensive training on the MICS questionnaire visited the households to conduct interviews.

Some of the trainer and supervisor participants in the Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey, MICS, training showcased their excellent interviewing skills this afternoon with children of SINSO staff as they moved to the Children section on Foundational Skills in the questionaire.
Six children were recruited for the exercise.

The training of trainers and Supervisors for the Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey, MICS continue into its second week today.
Participants progressed into the questionnaire looking at Decision making on Reproductive Health, Sexual Activity and Adult Functioning.

During the lunch break today some of the Gender and Disability workshop participants caught up with Jez Lofthouse and Sota Higashide at the Heritage Park Hotel and took a couple of photos. Even the Hotel staff joined in on the excitement!
All the best for tomorrow's game Solomon Kings 💪🙏

The Gender and Disability Data interpretation workshop with SPC continues in its third day today in Honiara.
Some photos of the past two days.

SINSO AND SPC HOST GROUNDBREAKING WORKSHOP ON GENDER AND DISABILITY

The Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO), in collaboration with the Pacific Community (SPC), has launched a pivotal four-day workshop in Honiara focused on the interpretation of gender and disability data.

The workshop brings together key stakeholders from government line ministries, civil society organizations, and development partners to delve into the findings from the Solomon Islands 2019 Population and Housing Census. The core objective is to transform raw data into actionable insights that can drive more inclusive national policies.

"We are moving beyond simply presenting numbers," said Government Statistician, Mr. Samson Kanamoli. "This workshop is about interpretation and collaboration. We are urging participants to ask hard questions, to look for the stories the data is trying to tell us, and to challenge us, the statisticians, to make this information clearer and more accessible for everyone."

The workshop aims to achieve several critical goals:
• Deepen Understanding: Explore how gender and disability intersect to influence social and economic outcomes for individuals and communities.
• Validate Findings: Critically review and validate the key findings from the forthcoming Gender and Disability Monographs to ensure their accuracy and contextual relevance for the Solomon Islands.
• Strengthen Capacity: Enhance the technical skills of SINSO staff in producing disability statistics using the internationally recognized Washington Group questions, a model promoted across the Pacific.
• Build Data Literacy: Equip stakeholders with the ability to effectively interpret and visualize gender and disability data from the 2019 census.
• Foster Dialogue: Promote cross-sectoral dialogue to ensure data is used effectively for inclusive planning and policy development.
• Confirm Next Steps: Agree on the finalization process and timeline for publishing the official Gender and Disability monographs.

By the conclusion of the workshop, participants are expected to have an increased understanding of the GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion) landscape in the country and a greater capacity to use these vital indicators to inform evidence-based, inclusive national policies.
-ENDS-

- SINSO Press Release

SOLOMON ISLANDS PREPARES FOR HISTORIC FIRST NATIONAL SURVEY ON CHILDREN AND WOMEN

The Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO), in partnership with UNICEF, has launched a comprehensive three-week training of trainers and pre-test program. This intensive workshop is a critical step in preparing for the country's inaugural Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), scheduled for 2026.

The MICS is a globally recognized household survey tool, developed by UNICEF in 1995. It has since become the world's largest source of statistically sound and internationally comparable data on the well-being of children and women. For Solomon Islands, participating in MICS for the first time represents a significant milestone in its ability to produce high-quality data that can be compared with over 100 other countries globally.

Officially opening the workshop, the Government Statistician, Mr. Samson Kanamoli, underscored the training's vital importance, highlighting three key objectives:

1. Building a Solid Foundation: "First, we are establishing the baseline for a survey of significant scale and complexity. If the foundation laid here in this training is weak, the entire structure of the survey is at risk."
2. Ensuring Uncompromising Quality: "Secondly, this is about quality assurance. You are responsible for ensuring that fieldworkers fully understand the questions, strictly follow the protocols, and treat every respondent with the utmost respect."
3. Strengthening National Capacity: "Thirdly, this process is about strengthening our national capacity in data collection, processing, and analysis, leaving a lasting legacy of expertise within SINSO."

The participants in this training are experienced supervisors and enumerators, drawn from recent large-scale national exercises, including the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) and the National Economic and Establishment Census (NEEC).

Over the next three weeks, these teams will immerse themselves in the MICS methodology. They will master the digital tools and protocols essential for ensuring that every piece of data collected is accurate, reliable, and meets the stringent standards required for international comparability. The subsequent pre-test will allow them to apply these skills in the field, refining the survey process before the main data collection begins in 2026.

- SINSO Press Release

SINSO and UNICEF held a successful technical committee meeting on Friday 6th March 2026 with stakeholders to finalize the Multiple-Cluster Indicator Survey (MICS) questionnaire.

The National Consumer Price Index for December 2025 shows a decline by 0.4 percent.

National Consumer Price Index declines by 0.4 percent in December, while 2025 annual inflation declines to 3.4 percent | Solomon Islands National Statistics Office The Solomon Islands inflation rate calculated on a 3-months moving average basis was +1.6 % in December 2025. The corresponding inflation rates for imported items was +0.2% while other (domestic) items inflation rate was +2.2% for December 2025.