Chairman of the State Administration Coun­cil Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing yesterday delivered a video speech to the people in commemoration of the population and household census enumeration for 2024. His speech is as follows: —

 

I extend greetings to all esteemed Myanmar people and all national brethren with best wishes for enjoying all auspiciousnesses and physical and mental well-being.

 

The population and household census which has been enumerated in our country once every ten years will be collected in the entire nation from 1 to 15 October simultaneously. If we count it starting today, thirty days remain until the census-taken process.

 

The census concerning population, economic and social measures is to be taken for everybody simultaneously in the entire nation or a set plot.

 

Enumerating the census is very wide with a large workload, spending a large sum of money. The majority of global countries conduct the cen­sus-taken process once every ten years. Census measure is concerned with everybody and it is a must to be done. Hence, even developed coun­tries which have full data of identity registration statistics regularly enumerate the census.

 

In 2024, Myanmar will conduct its census again, ten years after the previous one in 2014. Moreover, as the State actually needs correct and accurate population data to manage present and future development projects of the nation, we decided to collect the census.

 

Our government is arranging enumeration process of the population and household census in the entire nation in accord with the interna­tional standards. As different steps of preparatory processes have been conducted since previous years, now is ready to collect population data on the ground.

 

Data from the census mentions not only total population but age and gender of the people residing in the nation as well as socioeconomic measures and household data. So, it can be said that the cen­sus-taken process is of great im­portance for all. Such a process can show accurate population conditions and their lifestyles, and applying these data, we can implement the national interests of the State.

 

Our country is a Union blessed with natural beauties such as forests, mountains and waters as well as natural resources in harmony with di­verse culture and customs of national races, and their lan­guages. Our citizens have to forge the Union spirit forever and to comprehensively know our country. Likewise, it is nec­essary to coordinate diversities to bring advantages to the State.

 

Esteemed Myanmar people

In studying development of a country, everybody needs to analyze population and socio­economic statistics released by the relevant country. As such, it is important to compile cor­rect and accurate statistics of the whole nation. These statis­tics reflecting development of a country is dubbed the mirror of the county.

 

Census data used in adopt­ing the policies for ensuring proportional development of social, economic and manage­ment sectors of a country and implementing the plans can be obtained from the census.

 

Data from the census are essential for drawing the effec­tive development projects at different levels of administra­tion and management arenas and making decisions based on evidences. Moreover, allotment of natural resoures of the State, allocation of the finance and re­assessment of the territorial ar­eas are based on the population.

 

As data from the census will be analyzed and utilized in construction of infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, health units, roads and bridges as well as doing research, such a census is much essential and important for the State.

 

In addition, the census can be used in compilation of correct and accurate voter lists which is basic needs for successfully holding a free and fair multipar­ty democratic general election which is the ultimate mission of the State Administration Council.

 

Furthermore, census data can contribute to analyzing external and internal develop­ment programmes to implement the Sustainable Development Goals–SDGs of the United Na­tions as well as the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan– MSDP.

 

It can be said that data from the census are figures on devel­opment of the State to be handed down not only to the tenure of our government but to forthcom­ing successive governments. To be able to correctly compile these valuable data, the census will gather information from all residents of the nation regard­ing population and household statistics.

 

In this regard, I would like to say that everyone must respond thoroughly to the questions, as this contributes to a data col­lection process that benefits themselves, their families, fu­ture generations, and the State. Hence, I would like to urge all to cooperate in the national cen­sus-taken process with thorough replies in order to initiate future of the State, anticipation of the people and their requirements.

 

Esteemed ethnic national races,

Although any measures cannot be concerned with every person across the world, due to ony restriction the census process currently focuses on factors such as race, religion, age, and gender. The result of census is crucial for the State and benefiting individuals. So, everybody needs to accept gath­ering of census for fully enjoy the valuable right. They all need to participate in such a process. They have to thoroughly reply to all questions for all households as well as organizations raised by enumerators through door-to-door system without worries for the sake of new generations. I would like to note that the Pop­ulation and Household Census Law, issued in 2023 for the cen­sus process protects the biom­etric data of individuals.

 

The census provides insight into the country’s current situ­ation, including population data by region, age, and urban or ru­ral locations. It also classifies education levels, types of work­places, and people’s lifestyles. And then, the census can pro­vide basic resources to be used in adopting necessary plans in relevant regions and indicate necessary workforces. If so, capacity-building courses and proficien­cy courses can be conducted for turning out skilled workers. Likewise, prepara­tions can be made for implementation of social security, aged care and aid for the persons with disabilities.

 

The census is useful for private econ­omists and businesspersons to have the chances to seek the market, estimate number of consumers, manufacture products, give education and healthcare services whereas it can be applied in environmental conservation and rescue and relief measures for natural disas­ter-affected victims.

 

Esteemed people and brethren,

The national census-taken process will be implemented as a national duty soon for having figures, data and topics to be applied without fail in develop­ment measures of the State and other processes.

 

In conclusion, I would like to note that the population and household cen­sus to be enumerated from 1 to 15 Octo­ber 2024 is a self-reliant national process based on internal human resources. Just a single person or an organization cannot implement such a process, and all citi­zens and national brethren across the nation have to successfully gather the census through the united strength as part of showing off capability of the State to the world. On other ward, it is a great chance to post a milestone through the collaborative efforts of the entire ethnic national people. That is why I would like to urge entire ethnic people to actively participate in the census-taken process as a national process of the State in ac­cord with the motto: “Let’s enumeate census with public participation”.