Participation in national census a public duty — gov’t

AMMAN — The population census is a national public duty and a legal requirement that takes place every 10 years, ministers said on Saturday.

By participating in the census, the public contributes to ensuring proper planning based on correct figures and data, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani told reporters. 

The results of the population tally — to be held at the end of this month — supply decision makers with the most important demographic, residential and economic figures to make the necessary plans and programmes, he added, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Momani said 25,000 researchers representing different ministries and government institutions will conduct the census in cooperation with civil institutions, civil society and the private sector, and under the supervision of experts from the Department of Statistics (DoS).

He added that the aim of the census is purely economic and developmental, with no other dimensions involved.

Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury, who is also head of the media committee for the 2015 population census, said the census is going to be conducted for the sixth time in Jordan and will not violate the privacy of any resident, with no names mentioned.

He added that there will be no questions about income and there are no legal, financial or administrative repercussions for taking part in the census.

Fakhoury said the population tally will enable the private sector to invest more effectively by knowing the number of residents who are economically active, those who are employed as well as those who are not.

The census includes three phases; the first is preparing maps of inhabited areas, the second is visiting and identifying the location of these areas and the third is the actual implementation, which will begin on November 30, entailing 10 days of data collection, according to Fakhoury.

He said the data includes information about age, place of residence, education, marital status, disabilities, deaths, housing characteristics and health insurance.

Fakhoury added that the results will be posted in February 2016.

The population tally will offer data related to the size, distribution and demographics of non-Jordanians residing in the Kingdom, especially guest workers, in addition to identifying the number of Jordanian expatriates, according to the minister.

He said the government’s development plans were based on the 2004 population census, including the Jordan Response Plan, but added that they will be updated in accordance with the 2015 data. 

Also speaking at the press conference, DoS Director Qasem Zu’bi said the tally will be conducted electronically as the 25,000 census takers will be equipped with tablet computers, urging the public to check the IDs of these researchers before dealing with them or giving them any information.

The population census includes every resident in the Kingdom regardless of their nationality or residency status, the DoS director said, adding that it is related to health, education, electricity, water and other services.