BY SACHIN KUMAR
DOHA: The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning will begin Qatar’s mid-term census or mini-census from tomorrow.
Data from the two-month long census of population, housing and establishments will help government department and its agencies in formulating developmental plans. The statistics will show population demographics, distribution, buildings, land use and other factors. The census will cover everyone including Qataris and
expatriates.
Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning H E Sheikh Abdulrhaman bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani and Minister for Development Planning and Statistics H E Dr Saleh bin Mohammad Al Nabit announced details of the census at a joint press conference held here yesterday.
Around 400 census officials will collect data in Qatar’s fifth population census which will continue up to May 2016. The first census was conducted in 1986, second in 1997, third in 2004 while the last full Census was conducted
in 2010. Dr Al Nabit urged citizens, residents and all stakeholders to cooperate for the success of the census. A country’s general census gives a statistical overview of the community during a specific period in the context of multiple and dynamic variables. The data collected lays the foundation for statistical analysis like social, economic and urban demographics of the community, the Minister said. The key feature of this census is the use personal digital assistance (PDA) devices by officials to input data. The devices are loaded with latest maps to enable officials to work in designated work areas with administrative boundaries using geospatial information systems.
This latest technology will make the process of collecting data fast, efficient and accurate. The preliminary results of the census will be announced in August, he said.
The Minister urged citizens and residents to cooperate with field officers and give them accurate information to ensure the success of this census since the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics is working to develop an integrated statistical programme.
The Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning said the outcome of the census will help the Ministry formulate policies and plans. He called on all sectors and members of the society to take part in the census so that the state can work on developing its services for the future.
“All the data collected by enumerators will be captured through their special devices (PDAs) and sent to the central processing centre at the Ministry where the data will be subject to review and quality control to validate their accuracy,” said Mansoor Ahmed Al Malki, Director of Information System Department, Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. The Peninsula
