PHOTO Population and Housing Census launched in Chisinau

Chisinau, April 6 /MOLDPRES/ - Population and Housing Census, due on 8 April -7 July 2024, was launched today. The event took place outdoors in the centre of the capital in a festive format with several artistic, gastronomic, recreational and information activities.

Attending the launch, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that the population and housing census is a large-scale statistical survey organized once every 10 years, and it is important for the government that the exercise will provide information of public interest about the resident population and housing for setting up, monitoring and assessing policies, for scientific research and business environment development etc.

For properly conducting the census, the European Union and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) provided the National Statistics Bureau with a consignment of digital equipment, including 3,000 electronic tablets and related accessories, worth around €800,000.

"This year's Population and Housing Census is a cornerstone of Moldova's statistical system. It is a vital tool for informed decision-making. Accurate and reliable data on the country's demographic situation, social and economic conditions and housing stock are essential for the development of effective country policies. The confidentiality of citizens' personal data is a top priority. All data collected will be obtained in strict compliance with the highest international and European standards. Participation in the census takes time, but its impact is long-lasting", EU Ambassador to Moldova Jānis Mažeiks said.

The state budget provides for an amount of 244.3 million lei (over 12.2 million euros) to finance organizing and carrying out the Population and Housing Census in 2024. BNS also receives assistance under the project Support to the National Statistics Bureau in conducting the Population and Housing Census in 2024, funded by the European Union and co-financed by UNFPA. The project started in June 2023, with an implementation period of 30 months. The total value of the project is €2.075 million, of which €2 million is the European Union contribution and €75 thousand is UNFPA contribution. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the governments of Switzerland, India and other development partners will also provide support to this complex exercise.

According to the Population and Housing Census Law, participation in this exercise is compulsory.