Less than 30% think IMF program will improve economy in future: Verité Research

Monday, 18 September 2023 04:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

New survey reveals about 45% of Sri Lankans believe IMF’s $ 3 b EFF will make things worse in future

Approximately 28% of the population believes Sri Lanka’s ongoing program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will make things better for Sri Lanka’s economy in the future, according to a new survey released yesterday by Verité Research.

In contrast, approximately 45% of Sri Lankans believe the $ 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program will make things worse for the economy in the future. The survey posed the question, “How is Sri Lanka’s IMF program contributing to the present and future of the economy?” to the respondents.

They were provided with 5 answer options. 1) It will make things better, both now and in the future; 2) Even if it is worse now, it will make things better in the future; 3) It will make things worse, both now and in the future; 4) Even if it is better now, it will make things worse in the future and 5) Do not know/No idea.

Of the respondents, 28% selected option one or two and 45% chose option three or four. The remaining 27% selected the last option.

The poll was based on an island-wide, nationally representative sample of responses from 1,008 Sri Lankan adults, conducted in June 2023. The sample and methodology of the survey ensure an error margin below ±3% at a 95% confidence interval.

The poll was conducted as a part of the syndicated survey instrument by Verité Research and the polling partner was Vanguard Survey Ltd. The syndicated survey instrument by Verité Research also provides other organisations with the opportunity to survey the sentiments of the people of Sri Lanka.