National Census: Enumeration over, data processing to begin after some days

Aarthik News

Nov. 26, 2021, 9:09 p.m.

Kathmandu, Nov 26. Major work of the National Census 2078, collection of data, was over on Thursday. The fieldwork of the national census begun from November 11 has completed, according to Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). With this, next step- data processing- would begin, said CBS Director General Nebin Lal Shrestha, adding that country’s population was likely to reach 30 million. The preliminary result of the census would be announced after three months.

However, final result would be made public after a year, he added. Shrestha thanked the enumerators, supervisors and respondents for making the mega campaign of enumeration successful. The CBS also extended thanks to all others contributing to the census. The national census was conducted delaying five months than the scheduled date because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a press release distributed after the press conference on Friday, the CBS said, “We learnt many things while conducting census this time. It will help us enrich future census and surveys. It was further informed that use of digital technology, mobilization of more qualified enumerator, involvement of local unemployed youths, basic data collection up to ward level from community questionnaire were some features. The census was conducted in all places of mountain, hills and southern plains.

However, the census would be held in the disputed area via diplomatic initiative, CBS stated. The enumerators also shared the experience of hardship while collecting data. The census was affected for some time as some ethnicities like ‘kayat’ of Dhorpatan Municipality-9 in Baglung denied sharing information. After holding discussion, the community resolved the problem and resumed the census.

Similarly, lack of roadway from Nepali side to reach Chhanru and Tinkar of Byas Rural Municipality-1 in Darchula district forced enumerators to opt for Indian route to reach there. But, permission to reach there via Indian side was denied by the Indian government, which affected the data collection. The census is held every 10 year in Nepal. The first census was held 109 year back (in 1968BS) during the premiership of Chandra Shumsher Rana.

The census is then being evolved in a scientific manner. The last census taken 10 years back had put Nepali population at 26.5 million. There were 80 questions in the census this time. As many as 40,000 enumerators and 8,500 supervisors were mobilized in this census.