Vientiane, Lao PDR - Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB), in collaboration with The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Statistics Korea, host a Regional Consultation on Census Methodology aimed at strengthening the capacity of countries that recently conducted or plan to conduct a traditional population and housing census in the 2020 census round. The Regional Consultation was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, from 29 to 30 August 2018.
Participants include approximately 25 representatives, managers and technical staff from National Statistical Offices from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Bhutan, Pakistan, Vietnam and the Democratic People’s Republic Korea.
The census is a key source of population data required for national and sub-national planning and decision-making. It is one of the largest statistical exercises countries under take. As such, a census requires adequate preparation in terms of human resources, technologies, budget and logistics. In the 2010 round of population censuses, 214 countries or areas out of 235 conducted a census, enumerating 6.4 billion people, representing 93% of the world population.
“Having high quality and reliable data is very important for planners, policy makers and other data users. The results from the Census 2020 round will give us updates on the outcome indicators and targets of the National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP 2016-2020) as well as inputs for the 9th NSEDP of Lao PDR.” Said Mr. Somachan Bhoupa of the Lao Statistic Bureau.
Subjects of discussion in the workshop were: the pace, at which new methods and technologies in census exercises are emerging, which can be both an opportunity and a threat to the success of a census, and assessing the quality of population and housing census data as an integral part of the census operation.
“As one of the largest statistical source in ten years, the 4th Population Housing Census in 2015 provided inclusive data on women in reproductive age, including adolescent girls. It helped UNFPA and partners to better address the issues and to respond through targeted interventions” said Ms. Frederika Meijer, UNFPA’s Representative in Lao PDR.
“The results of the 2020 Population Census will help us all to track and monitor the progress of the development efforts that contribute to the national Sustainable Development Goals” she added.
The Regional Consultation on Census Methodology in Vientiane provided a forum to introduce new census analytical methodologies to all participants. There were presentations on global and regional coordination mechanisms and support programmes for the 2020 census round. It also identified opportunities for regional support including South-South cooperation, and it offered guidance and advice to individual countries through thematic discussion tailored to country context.
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UNFPA is the United Nations reproductive health and rights agency. It is the leading agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly maternal health, in over 150 countries, as well as working to end harmful practices such as child marriage, and supporting population data collection and analysis.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Kay amphone Singhalath
Telephone: 021 267 680
Mob: +85620 77776597
Email: Singhalath@unfpa.org
