Population census to exclude Zimbababweans in diaspora

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Zimbabweans in the diaspora will not be counted during next month’s population census. Only Zimbabweans who will be in the country on the 17 and 18th of August will be counted.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Harare provincial and district census training workshop, the director of Population Census and Surveys, Mr Washington Mapeta said the population census will focus on Zimbabweans within the country on the census night only.
 
He said the country will rely on immigration authorities and neighbouring countries for statistics of people in the diaspora. Millions of Zimbabweans scattered around the globe following the political and economic upheavals in the country.
 
On diplomats, immigrants, vagrants and others, Harare Provincial Census Co-ordinator, Mrs Elizabeth Banda said census enumerators have the expertise to deal with a variety of groups, adding that the population census will indicate the number of people living in Zimbabwe including citizens and foreigners.
 
“A census is meant to provide demographic and socio-economic data required in the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of development plans and programmes,” said Mrs Banda.
 
A population census helps a country to obtain current data on the size, age and geographical distribution of the population. This also helps to inform policy at all levels to make rightful decisions, Mrs Banda said.