The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population released its core reports of the 2019 Interim Census at its headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.

Union Minister U Thein Swe, in his capacity of Chairperson of the census taking central committee, Deputy Minister U Myint Kyaing, the Permanent Secretary and Directors-General attended the ceremony in line with COVID-19 related guidelines.

UNFPA Representative for Myanmar Mr Ramanathan Balakrishnan and other officials from UN organizations, NGOs, and INGOs also participated in the ceremony via videoconferencing.

During the ceremony, the Union Minister said that the preliminary results were announced on 31 August 2020 after the interim census, and it was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demographic and socio-economic data were included in 110 questions in taking the census, and it was aimed at supporting the National Indicator Framework to monitor and assess progress in implementing the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan.

In the Interim Census, drinking water quality surveys were widely carried out for the first time in Myanmar to collect reliable statistics in implementing development works of the country. The central committee tried to improve the quality of the 2019 Interim Census because solid statistical data are needed in drafting national development policies and carrying out development projects.

He said that the Interim Census covers only the population of normal households; it does not cover the homeless population.

During the ceremony, UNFPA Representative Mr Ramanathan Balakrishnan, via Zoom application, explained their support for the Interim Census.

The Interim Census covered 132,092 households, and a total of 548,553 people were surveyed. Drinking water quality surveys were also conducted in 19,077 households. Following the release of the core reports, detailed research papers and policy recommendations will be further developed.

MNA

(Translated by Maung Maung Swe)

Photo: MNA

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