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

New survey reveals about 45% of Sri Lankans believe it will make things worse in future
 

Approximately 28% of the population believes Sri Lanka’s ongoing programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will make things better for Sri Lanka’s economy in the future, according to a new survey by Verité Research.
In contrast, approximately 45% of Sri Lankans believe the USD 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme will make things worse for the economy in the future.The survey posed the question, “how is Sri Lanka’s IMF programme contributing to the present and future of the economy?” to the respondents.
They were provided 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
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 ensures 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 (Pvt) 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.