Data Collection for 7th General Census Underway

Rabat - The crucial data collection phase for the 7th General Census of Population and Housing (RGPH) commenced on Sunday across all regions of the Kingdom and will extend until September 30. This strategic census, undertaken in line with the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the recommendations of the United Nations Statistical Commission, aims to deliver an accurate depiction of the nation's population and housing conditions. The RGPH 2024 involves the deployment of 55,000 personnel, including interviewers, controllers, and municipal supervisors. The workforce is notably diverse: 60% are graduates and students, 32% are educators, while the remaining 8% includes public administration employees, private sector workers, and retired public servants. To support the census, the High Commission for Planning (HCP) has procured 55,000 tablets, co-financed by the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports. These tablets will be utilized exclusively for the census and will be instrume ntal in the promotion of the digital school project. A specialized control office has been assigned to inspect and verify the tablets' operational status before distribution. In the event of a technical issue that cannot be resolved within 48 hours, the faulty device will be promptly replaced. The tablets are programmed solely for census use and are equipped with remote tracking capabilities. Security services will respond immediately in the case of loss or theft. In addition to the tablets, the logistical and material resources for the census include 55,000 census supplies-such as folders, badges, and caps-350 training and storage centers, 90 supply storage centers, and 7,000 vehicles with drivers. The budget for RGPH 2024 is set at MAD 1.46 billion. This budget is allocated as follows: 67% for participant remuneration, 20% for material and logistical resources, and 13% for technological support. This year's census will utilize a dual-questionnaire system. The first questionnaire covers demographic struc tures and rare phenomena like international migration and mortality. The second, more detailed questionnaire, expands on these topics to include new areas such as social protection, the use of information and communication technologies, and environmental issues. High Commissioner for Planning, Ahmed Lahlimi Alami, stated that the extended format of the questionnaire aims to provide deeper insights into subjects typically covered in previous statistics, including fertility, health, education, and economic activity. This approach will support monitoring of sustainable development goals and the implementation of the new development model. The long-format questionnaire will be distributed to all households in municipalities with fewer than 2,000 households and to a 20% sample of households in larger municipalities. A short questionnaire will reach 80% of the population. The RGPH is a significant national operation designed to capture detailed demographic, social, and economic data, including information on nom ads and homeless individuals. It will also assess housing stock and living conditions across the Kingdom. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse