Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS) has revealed preparations are underway to begin a pilot census programme ahead of the population census to be conducted later this year.
MBS stated the aim of the pilot census programme is to assess the level of preparedness for the population census. As such, MBS revealed the pilot census will use the same questionnaires and tablets to be used for the actual population census. The bureau said the programme will help to determine the time that will be taken for the census, and assess the functionality of other procedures in place such as the generation of reports.
MBS stated the pilot census programme will be conducted in the Greater Male' Region as well as Kulhudhuffushi City and Nolhivaram in Haa Dhaalu Atoll. The bureau revealed the pilot census in the Male' area will be held from June 14-26, while the programme will be held in Kulhudhuffushi and Nolhivaram from June 14-23 and June 14-21 respectively.
MBS further stated the pilot census teams will be collecting data from households between 0830hrs and 1800hrs during the allocated days. MBS said the teams will spend an average of 1 hour and 30 minutes in every household. The bureau requested for the cooperation of the public for this programme, as it is an important part of the preparations for the population census.
The population census is set to be conducted in September this year. The full report of the census will be published on the National Statistics Day, which falls on October 20.