Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama inaugurated the “Population and Housing Census 2023” conference this Wednesday, underscoring the critical nature of conducting the census in line with European standards. He stated, “Conditions have matured to initiate a process of such importance”.
Rama emphasized the need to go door-to-door, as per the Institute of Statistic’s (INSTAT) plan, over the span of six weeks to collect data that is indispensable for several reasons.
“First and foremost, we must identify precisely and concretely how many Albanians, how many citizens of this country, are living here today, as well as the number of their immovable assets,” Rama stated.
The Prime Minister underscored two pivotal factors contributing to the success of this census. “Firstly, Albania has partnered with countries such as France, Switzerland, Germany, and Sweden, renowned for their precision and expertise in accurate data collection. These nations, in conjunction with EU support, are jointly funding the census, with 55% of the funding coming from the Albanian Government and the rest from its partners. The second crucial factor is cutting-edge technology, ensuring the integrity of data in real-time. INSTAT, with its exceptional institutional experience and professional reliability, is a cornerstone in guaranteeing the accuracy and success of the census process,” Rama further stated.
Luigi Soreca, the Chargé d’Affaires of the European Union in Tirana, stressed the significance of providing trustworthy information through this census.
The EU has allocated 4.8 million euros in grants to support INSTAT, aligning the census with European standards.
Soreca acknowledged that Albania is on a positive trajectory towards EU accession and highlighted the importance of this moment in the country’s history and the broader EU enlargement process. “It is an honor and privilege for me to be in Albania again during this exceptional moment for the country, which is in the process of accession and at a critical juncture for EU expansion,” he noted.
Soreca emphasized that the census is of utmost importance, as it influences policymaking, not only in Albania but also in the allocation of EU funds to the country.
“This process is of great importance in providing reliable data that will inform policies, plan public services, and distribute state budget funds,” Soreca stated.
Furthermore, he highlighted the census’ significance in the context of Albania’s negotiations for EU membership, as it plays a crucial role in the accession process.
Soreca commended the long-standing partnership between the EU and INSTAT, which has been invaluable in shaping this census. He concluded by expressing his best wishes to INSTAT and all involved units for a successful census, emphasizing the pivotal role of accurate data in EU policies and Albania’s journey towards EU membership.
This will be the twelfth population census, 100 years from the first census which was done in 1923.
