Qatar has launched the General Census of Population, Housing and Establishments 2020 which will play an important role in country’s development.
The launch of the first phase of the general census was announced by H E Dr. Saleh bin Mohammed Al Nabit, President of Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA), during a press conference on Sunday.
Census is a national project, which seeks to obtain comprehensive and accurate data on individuals, families, and establishments that support decision-makers. Through this field survey, the Authority assesses the availability of basic services for the family, identify areas in need and prioritise plans
Residents should understand the importance of census and cooperate with researchers and share correct information. Participating in the census is in everyone’s best interest, because the information on the forms is used by decision-makers to determine need for creating infrastructure.
Governments and other organisations rely on census data to determine the need for new roads, hospitals, schools, and other public sector investments. Census data are also vital to businesses as they get to know about the change in population pattern which plays crucial in fathoming future demand.
It is also important for the study of population structure of the society, estimating sources of labour force and numbers of workers and the promotion of the role of women, their socioeconomic status and other uses that are difficult to enumerate.
The first phase of the Census aims primarily to collect a few data which includes number of buildings, housing units, establishments and households, as the main aim of the census is to create a high-quality central register of population, housing and establishment data. The Authority had also conducted training programme for field researchers as part of preparations for the first phase of census. The five-day training programme was aimed to train researchers on the field work of the census, under the supervision of a number of specialists and experts in the field of statistics and field research.
The course included theoretical lectures and practical lessons in the basics of field work, as well as the technology used in the census process.
The General Census of Population, Housing and Establishments is the only statistical exercise conducted comprehensively, once every five or ten years, and the State of Qatar implemented a number of them in 1986, 1997, 2004, 2010, 2015.
The data gathered after month-long census will be helpful in enhancing the welfare of the population.
