Doha: President of the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) H E Dr. Saleh bin Mohammed Al Nabit affirmed that the State of Qatar has scored an important achievement and has a pioneering experience in the online census, to become at the forefront of countries that adopt new technology to complete the comprehensive census project according to the highest international standards.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency stated that the electronic census is carried out in conjunction with the field census, which is also uses the highly advanced technologies represented in handheld devices directly linked to administrative records and systems that help the enumerator to complete the data required with ease, accuracy and complete confidentiality.
He pointed out that more than 190,000 people completed their data electronically via the electronic link www.psa.gov.qa/census2020.aspx, and they completely don’t need to be visited by field enumerator. This is a very good number, and we look forward to increasing the numbers on the electronic census within the remained coming days of the census, he added.
He also stressed that the technological infrastructure in the State of Qatar is greatly advanced, which allowed the PSA to implement the Qatar 2020 census project in an ideal and unique manner even when compared with advanced countries in this field. We have advanced systems when talking about a technology-based census, but at the same time we are looking forward to greater progress, he said.
The online census is the census of the future and all countries are racing to develop this type of census, but there are differences in the methodologies of conducting the census, some depend on the census by sample, and some conduct a complete census that includes every facility, building, housing unit and family so that the data is more comprehensive and modern, and this is the type approved in Qatar, he added.
He pointed out that the experience of Qatar in the electronic census is very good, and that it could be better, adding that their ambition is much greater than what they have done so far, thanks to the material and human capabilities of the state and the unlimited support for the technology and communications sector. He added that they had hoped to focus on administrative records and building databases faster, saying that they are at a very advanced stage when compared to other countries in the region.
He added that they had hoped that the census would be fully electronic this year, but there are obstacles related to the response from families to this type of census, and most of them prefer to deal directly with the field enumerator to ask some inquiries about the statistical form despite the presence of a phone number for inquiries and questions for those who provide the data electronically, and the ease of the electronic method.
Regarding the experience of the 2010 census, the PSA President indicated that it was a good experience in terms of relying on technology to conduct the census, paving the way for the 2020 census, which witnessed an important development in the statistical form and the techniques used in the handheld devices of field enumerators, as well as the development in connecting these handheld devices with the administrative records that contain the data of citizens and residents.
Regarding the challenges that usually face the electronic census, he explained that the State of Qatar is characterized by the diversity of families whose data are collected from local, expatriate, Arab and non-Arab families, and small and large labor gatherings, resulting in a difference in the nature of the response to the census from one category to another, adding that it is not possible to set everyone in one box with regard to responding to the electronic census, and some feel confident and reassured when providing data through the field enumerator, as they are fully aware of the nature of the required data, and they have someone to help them complete the statistical form.
PSA President Dr. Saleh bin Mohammed Al Nabit affirmed that the preliminary indicators of the census are very good and show high turnout, saying that it is because of the national awareness of the importance of the General Census of Population, Housing and Establishments project, as well as the statistical data they provide to serve development, in addition to the well-managed handling of field enumerators who have been trained and thoroughly selected.
Regarding the electronic connectivity between PSA and the data-issuing bodies, he explained that connecting with the main bodies has been completed, noting that connecting is not a process that ends at a specific time, but rather a process that is constantly being developed, with the difference of the connecting process with each body; as there is partial connectivity and full connectivity, in addition to another that aims to provide data at successive periods.
He indicated that they are hoping to develop a kind of skillful connectivity with the concerned authorities with a focus on the connectivity’s quality and sustainability, adding that their aspired goal is to dispense with field censuses in the future, and to mainly rely on administrative records in censuses, which is what they aspire to accomplish in future censuses.
A census based on administrative records is possible in the State of Qatar, he said, adding that these records will be sufficient to obtain the basic data required for the census. He pointed out that 2025 will witness the census’ midpoint, as it will be based on administrative records to represent a significant experience for the comprehensive general census in the year 2030.
On the type of data required in the statistical form, Dr. Al Nabit explained that the questions of the census questionnaire are based on many sources, some of which are subject to international standards, adding that the minimum number of questions is based on the recommendations of the UN, while some of them are based on the directives of international and regional (Arab and Gulf) statistical organizations.
The PSA President expressed his thanks and gratitude for all citizens and residents who completed their statistical data and cooperated with the Authority in the implementation of this national project, calling on those who have not completed their data to do so either via www.psa.gov.qa/census2020.aspx, or by cooperating with the field enumerators during the remaining period that is due to end in mid-January.
