The Central Statistical Office (CSO) is currently preparing to conduct the next round of the Census of Population and Housing, in August 2020.
The previous Census of Population and Housing was conducted in October 2010.
Minister of National Development Planning Alexander Chiteme said the purpose of the Census is to provide a full, reliable picture of Zambia’s population and housing which includes various characteristics, i.e. demographic, social and economic data about each locality in the country.
Mr. Chiteme said the Census of Population and housing is unique in that, it can be used to investigate small and special population groups, and provide information about small geographic units.
“In preparation of the next Census, advance activities are underway. To this effect, The Ministry of National Development Planning, through the Central Statistical Office (CSO), has commenced a pilot mapping exercise throughout Lusaka and Chongwe districts, for a month. A pilot mapping exercise is a ‘dress rehearsal’ which serves to confirm the suitability of a new methodology, the introduction of innovative procedures such as Tablet-Aided geo-tagging of buildings and national infrastructure, and office delineation of Enumeration Area boundaries using satellite imagery,” he said.

The minister added that after the pilot mapping, a thorough review of the entire mapping process will be conducted, and a full scale national mapping exercise will be rolled out to cover each and every corner of Zambia.
Mr. Chiteme said the mapping exercise seeks to update the 2010 Census enumeration areas.
“This exercise is basically a geographic listing process where a frame of all housing units including vacant ones, all non-residential buildings, buildings under construction, schools, health facilities, municipal water systems, wastewater treatment facilities public transit stations, warehouses and boreholes, other structures and prominent features in an area will be compiled,” said Mr. Chiteme.
“The objectives of the Census Mapping are; to compile a frame or list of all Housing Units and other structures within an enumeration area; to determine the size of the enumeration area (number of, households and persons); to enable enumerators during census to find their way within the enumeration area more easily, so that they can actually visit all Housing Units in their enumeration area.”
Mr. Chiteme explained that during Census Mapping exercise, the Map Data Collector (MDC) will have a tablet loaded with an enumeration area map and application for capturing location and attributes data for housing units, other structures and prominent features of national interest within the enumeration area.
“All Map Data Collectors will wear a T-Shirt branded with a 2020 Census Logo and carry an ID card and a letter of introduction. We appeal to the general public to co-operate with the map data collectors and provide them the required information when you are visited and accord them all the necessary support,” he said.

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