The population and housing census is expected to start this September. In an interview for Euronews Albania, the director of the Institute of Statistics, Elsa Dhuli, informs that the process of gathering data will last 6 weeks. For the first time, answers will be registered in tablets.
“The census starts on September 18th and will last until October 28th of this year. Some 8.000 people will be involved, polling staff, controllers, supervisors, because we will use tablets to gather information, as well as supervisors for mapping systems,” says Dhuli.
Trained surveyors will knock on every door to collect data. Answering is mandatory for citizens.
“They will be asked about building’s conditions, their individual status, their employment status, education and health. There is also a module for those who own farming lands or are engaged in farming processes,” Dhuli further explains.
The cost of this comprehensive project will be 16,9 million euros. It will help policymakers, researchers and all citizens.
“Policymakers need the data, in order to make just decisions, not only at central but also at local level. Correct information based on numbers serves to calculate how many schools or hospitals need to be built, where they should be built, what are the most urgent needs, what’s the employment status of the people, the labor force in Albania. Secondly, it is very important to researchers to make in depth analysis,” Dhuli says.
The clear picture of the Albanian population with detailed data will be published in June next year.
