Latin America-BDP’s Poverty Group and the Poverty and Inequality Unit

All indicators presented as part of
this research initiative are estimates
based on microdata from sample based household
surveys. They are not IDB official
statistics, are bound to have an implicit
sampling error, and are not strictly comparable
with estimates from other data sources (census and
administrative records). Official indicators
should be obtained directly from each country’s
statistical agency.

Estimates have been subject to a
high level of quality control to increase the
level of cross-country comparability and to
provide information about their statistical
accuracy. The calculations are based on the United
Nations standard definitions for the MDG
indicators, and use the original microdata from
the countries’ household surveys. In order to
enhance the quality of the data the complete
estimation process is as transparent as possible,
the definitions for all indicators are included in
each table and graph, and the STATA do-files used
for the computations are available for
downloading. Moreover, in order to indicate the
margin of error several statistics of significance
are provided for all indicators in each period and
country.

Comments are welcomed at eqxis-bid@iadb.org

The indicators presented in were calculated from household
surveys and
thus have a sampling error associated to them.

The statistical standard error for
each indicator has been calculated considering the
specific sample design of each survey (not by
assuming simple random sampling). For this
purpose, specific statistical software that
considers clustering and stratification was used.
However, for some surveys in which variables
and/or detailed sample design information were not
available, a plausible approximation was made with
the microdata on hand.

Within the Tables of , the following statistical
indicators of significance are presented:

• standard error,
• 95% confidence intervals,
• variation coefficient, and
• number of observations.

Charts and tables in automatically do not display
data if :

• The number of sample observations is less
  than 30, and/or
• The standard error exceeds 20% of the mean
  value (i.e.: variation coefficient is greater
  than 20%).

Average values for indicators
presented in , could differ from those
calculated with sources other than household
surveys. Estimations were calculated trying to
make them comparable along time within each
country. However, some estimations within
countries, could differ from year to year due to
changes in survey’s questionnaires.

Within , metadata is included on
methodological issues on definitions, methods of
calculation, relevant facts about sources of
information and complete access to the programs
for calculating the included indicators.

The definitions used for estimating
social indicators in are taken from the publication
of the United Nations (2003): “Indicators for
Monitoring the Millennium Development Goals.
Definitions, Rationale, Concepts and Sources”

is a product developed by the
Poverty and Inequality Unit of the Sustainable
Development Department, with the collaboration of
other Departments and Divisions of the
Inter-American Development Bank.

Please
contact us at: eqxis-bid@iadb.org