Iipumbu Sakaria
From 18 September until 3 November 2023, the 2023 Population and Housing Census will take place in Namibia. It will be the fourth census to be conducted since independence. The main rationale for conducting periodic censuses is to update the socio-demographic and economic data in the country, and ascertain the changes that have occurred in the population structure since the last census. It is, therefore, very important to be aware that the census includes demographic, economic and social data. The census does more than just a simple headcount of the population, meaning besides knowing how many we are at a certain point in time, we will also have updated other demographic, economic and social data.
There are four main essential features of a Population and Housing Census. These revolve around the time intervals of a census, the territory it takes place on, enumerating each individual and each household, and the specific date of the information collected, known as the reference night. According to the essential features of a census, our census is conducted at least every 10 years in the territory of Namibia, ensuring all persons present, and households in Namibia on that specific date are enumerated, and only once.
Who will be counted? All persons who are in Namibia on a specific date, known as the reference night, during the enumeration period in September 2023, will be counted. This includes all persons who spend this specific date, the reference night, during the enumeration period in an institution, will be counted. All special populations, including those who will be in transit in Namibia such as at airports, roadblocks and border, on that specific reference night, will be counted as well. Special populations include those in hotels, lodges and guesthouses, as well as in old-age homes, travellers, prisons, barracks, holding cells, maternity waiting shelters and temporary waiting shelters, amongst others.
The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) will liaise with institutions before enumeration to explain the purpose of the census exercise, and seek their permission and cooperation to ensure that persons who spent the reference night in that institution are counted as well.
Those who will not be enumerated for the census include all usual members and other persons who did not spend the Census Night in Namibia. Persons born after the reference night will also not be counted, as well as all persons who pass away before the reference night. This means that only persons present in Namibia will be counted, as those not in Namibia during that reference night will not be counted.
The 2023 Population and Housing census data can only be of the highest quality if we all play our part and ensure that we are counted, and most importantly, provide accurate information for development planning and monitoring. Therefore, play your part and be counted. Your efforts will be appreciated.
*Iipumbu Sakaria is the Manager of Corporate Communications at the Namibia Statistics Agency.