The Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) on Monday announced the resumption of the final phase of General Census of Population, Housing and Establishment 2020. The census which started yesterday will run till January 7, while field census will resume from December 13 to mid-January. People who wish to fill in the census form can log on to PSA’s dedicated web platform, access and fill in the necessary details.
Field enumerators will be visiting houses from December 13 and deliver the census questionnaires in a special packet to curb the spread of virus infection. After entering the data, the respondents can return the questionnaires at their own convenience, even on the next day. The final phase of the census which was stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic is resuming after obtaining necessary approval from the Ministry of Public Health and the process will be done strictly following precautionary measures mandated by the authorities and in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior.
Taking part in the census is a national duty as the participation of everybody by providing accurate data will help in the creation of a valuable database which can be the basis for planning future development and welfare measures.
The census will provide a reliable data bank for comparisons and projections of demographic details and will reveal the social and economic characteristics of the society as a whole. It will create a clear picture of the population, its social and economic characteristics, age gender composition, level of education and the nature of the current workforce in the country. Such information is imperative in planning development requirement for the country such as educational institutions, housing and transportation infrastructure, healthcare, entertainment etc.
This is particularly important during such times as the current time of pandemic as the demography, age, gender etc play a crucial role in designing and providing treatment methods by creating essential infrastructure and roping in necessary healthcare professionals in a war footing. Obtaining clear data about housing and commercial establishment will help in planning residential areas and shopping centres avoiding shortage or glut in the availability of such facilities. So is the case with education for different communities in Qatar. With the census, the authorities will have an insight into the needs for more community schools and higher education facilities.
So, let us all realise that active participation in the census is a service and duty to ourselves which will serve as valuable contribution from our part to the overall development of Qatar. It is a golden chance for everybody to take steps in the march of Qatar to the pinnacle of welfare and advancement.
