The Outcome of the 5th Community Social Security Survey and Options for Improvement

Abstract

While the Community Social Security Survey has been considered of significant use for the systematic development of the Community Social Security Plan, some methodological issues concerning the survey have until recently kept work from proceeding to consolidating the survey responses into a unified dataset for wider use. This article analyzes data from the Survey in its 5th wave, the first version ever to have been compiled on a nationwide scale, and discusses the findings and implications as a way to pass on the outcome of the survey to a wider public, with a view to raising awareness among those concerned of the importance of survey quality control as well as suggesting potential options for improvement. Our analysis found that among the many areas of social security, care was a realm where respondents reported having the most difficulties and having needs for support from without. Also, employment, housing, education, and child care were identified as priority areas in need of immediate policy actions and enhanced attention from local governments. Life satisfaction was inversely related to perceptions of cross-regional disparities. Disparities were strongly perceived in the areas of employment, culture and leisure, and healthcare facilities. This study also suggests developing and implementing standardized surveys and questionnaires and improving data management and data use.