About US$85.5 million is required for the 2022 Zimbabwe Census, a key survey that is done every 10 years to provide the country with essential data on demographic and related socio-economic characteristics of the population at national and sub-national levels which can be used for policy and programme planning.
The 2022 Census will be the fifth population census since independence in 1980. Earlier censuses having been conducted in 1982, 1992, 2002 and 2012. The preparations for the 2022 census have started, with the Government having recently approved the Census project which will run from 1 October 2019 to 31 December 2024.
“The cost of the 2022 Population and Housing Census is expected to be covered by the Government of Zimbabwe, however, it is likely that there will be a shortfall over the lifespan of this project, which is 5 years, hence the need to mobilise the additional required, for the 2022 Population and Housing Census project with an estimated cost of about $85.5 million,” said Minister of Finance and Economic Development Minister, Prof. Mthuli Ncube.
The 2022 population census will provide up-to-date data for twenty-four Sustainable Development Goal indicators spanning over 11 SDGs, which will allow for continuous monitoring and reporting of progress on the implementation of the SDGs as well as inform a mid-term review. The census will also collect data for indicators from several other national and internationally agreed development frameworks such as the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the World Summit for Children. For the first time, the 2022 census will attempt to measure the number of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, which will go a long way in meeting the data needs of policy makers.
“The Census is a very important part of Zimbabwe’s development agenda. As UNFPA, support for the development of data to inform policy planning and development is critical as “Everyone Counts” – it is my hope that we can all rally behind this process and ensure that the 2022 Census is a success,” said UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Esther Muia. “It is about People, Prosperity, Partnerships for Peace and Development. Our partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe began in 1981 with support to the Population Census in 1982. Since then our partnership has continued over the years with support to Census 1982, 1992, 2002 and 2012.”
The 2022 Zimbabwe Population Census will be carried out in August 2022 in accordance with the Census and Statistics Act [Chapter: 10:29)] 1/2007 Section 12 sub-section (i) which stipulates that a national census shall be carried out every 10 years.
