Around 26% of users have raised concerns about the accuracy of data provided by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), according to a new survey conducted by the government agency.

According to the User Satisfaction Survey Report (USS) 2024, published on the BBS website on Saturday, around 39% users expressed dissatisfaction with the timeliness of the BBS data. Additionally, 17% users found certain BBS data to be irrelevant, while 42% of respondents were unhappy with the regularity of statistical releases.

Furthermore, 12% of users expressed general dissatisfaction with the overall quality of BBS statistics.

The survey collected feedback from 1,333 respondents, including academicians, researchers, representatives from financial institutions, government officials, and development partners. Data was gathered through written questionnaires in February this year, with Mohammad Yunus, research director of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), leading the survey effort.

The primary goal of the survey was to assess the quality, accuracy, and shortcomings of BBS's statistical operations. This is the second survey of its kind, following the first one conducted in 2022. A comparative analysis of the two reports indicates a slight decline in users’ trust in BBS. In the initial survey, 22% of users expressed dissatisfaction with the overall quality and accuracy of BBS data.

The report also highlighted which BBS statistics are most utilised. Approximately 69% of respondents stated they primarily use population, demographic, and vital statistics. Poverty statistics were the second most used, with 61% of users relying on this data. National accounts were the third most popular, utilised by 55% of respondents. On the other hand, crime and justice statistics were the least used, with fewer than 8% of users relying on this data. ICT statistics were also less popular, used by only 17%.

To enhance BBS services and boost user confidence, respondents provided 20 key recommendations. These included ensuring more timely updates, offering automated online analysis and reporting tools, and employing more qualified professionals for data analysis.