This technical report presents a case study based on the use of a small area estimation (SAE) approach to produce disaggregated estimates of SDG Indicator 5.a.1 by sex and at granular sub-national level. In particular, after introducing the framework for using SAE techniques, the report discusses a possible model-based technique to integrate a household or agricultural survey measuring the indicator of interest with census microdata, in order to borrow strength from a more comprehensive data source and produce estimates of higher quality. The discussed estimation approach could also be extended or customized for the integration of survey data with alternative data sources, such as administrative records, and/or geospatial information, and for the disaggregation of other (SDG) indicators based on survey microdata.

This guide to small area estimation aims to help users compile more reliable granular or disaggregated data in cost-effective ways. It explains small area estimation techniques with examples of how the easily accessible R analytical platform can be used to implement them, particularly to estimate indicators on poverty, employment, and health outcomes. The guide is intended for staff of national statistics offices and for other development practitioners. It aims to help them to develop and implement targeted socioeconomic policies to ensure that the vulnerable segments of societies are not left behind, and to monitor progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

The "leave no one behind" principle espoused by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires measures of progress for different segments of the population. This entails detailed disaggregated data to identify subgroups that might be falling behind, to ensure progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Asian Development Bank and the Statistics Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs developed this practical guidebook with tools to collect, compile, analyze, and disseminate disaggregated data. It also provides materials on issues and experiences of countries regarding data disaggregation for the SDGs. This guidebook is for statisticians and analysts from planning and sector ministries involved in the production, analysis, and communication of disaggregated data.

As a member of the working group on data disaggregation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has taken numerous steps towards supporting Member Countries in the production of disaggregated estimates. Within this framework, these Guidelines offer methodological and practical guidance for the production of direct and indirect disaggregated estimates of SDG indicators having surveys as their main or preferred data source. Furthermore, the publication provides tools to assess the accuracy of these estimates and presents strategies for the improvement of output quality, including Small Area Estimation methods.

The present technical report illustrates a case study on the adoption of small area estimation techniques to produce granular sub-national estimates of SDG Indicators 2.3.1 and 2.3.2, by integrating survey microdata with auxiliary information retrieved from various trustworthy geospatial information systems. The technical report provides practical guidance to national statistical offices and other institutions wanting to implement small area estimation techniques on SDG Indicators 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 or similar indicators based on surveys microdata.

As the custodian United Nations (UN) agency of 21 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators, and a member of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) and the Working Group on data disaggregation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been working to support countries in reporting SDG indicators at the required disaggregation level. To this end, FAO Office of Chief Statistician (OCS) has developed Guidelines on data disaggregation for SDG Indicators using survey data (FAO, 2021), which offer methodological and practical guidance for the production of direct and indirect estimates of SDG indicators having surveys as their main or preferred data source. This technical report presents a case study based on the so-called “projection estimator”, allowing the integration of two independent surveys for the production of synthetic disaggregated estimates. In particular, the publication presents a practical exercise focused on the production of disaggregated estimates for SDG Indicator 2.1.2, on the Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity in the population based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). This application – based on survey microdata from Malawi – expands and enriches the brief practical exercise presented in the Guidelines.

This report presents a comprehensive overview of the methodology and findings stemming from the application of small area estimation (SAE) techniques to the 2020 National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey (CASEN) in Chile. Specifically, it focuses on deriving comuna-level estimates for SDG indicator 2.1.2, which measures the Prevalence of Moderate and Severe Food Insecurity based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). The document describes outlines the systematic approach employed in fitting the Fay-Herriot area-level SAE model. The results underscore the significant variation in the prevalence rates of moderate and severe food insecurity across different comunas in Chile. These findings not only underscore the necessity but also the feasibility of utilizing SAE techniques to yield more granular estimates. Such detailed insights are crucial for informed decision-making processes aimed at addressing food insecurity at the local level.