Erbil mobilizes 300 trained enumerators for upcoming census

Nov. 16, 2024

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - The Erbil Statistics Directorate announced on Saturday the completion of training for 300 enumerators in preparation for the next phase of the population census, with teams beginning household visits today across residential neighborhoods to complete family questionnaires.

Dr. Delzar Hama Saleh, Director of Erbil Statistics, stated during a press conference on Saturday, "We have completed the final phase of training 300 enumerators in Erbil governorate, following an intensive three-day training program." 

He added that "enumerators will begin visiting homes today to complete family questionnaires containing various questions, with this campaign continuing until the 19th of this month."

He noted that a curfew would be imposed on the 20th and 21st of this month, during which enumerators will conduct follow-up visits to verify recorded information and document any changes in family status during that period, with information being recorded with precise timing.

The director urged Erbil citizens to "cooperate with the census teams and welcome them into their homes to answer questions," emphasizing "the importance of participating in this national process."

Iraqi Planning Minister Mohammed Ali Tamim declared in press statements today that "this census is the first comprehensive developmental census for Iraq in 37 years," noting that "the census represents a message of social, security, and economic stability in the country."

Tamim added that "the population census is among the government program's priorities as it is the first developmental census conducted by the Ministry of Planning," explaining that "the government has supported the census procedures as it represents a national and constitutional entitlement."

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced a nine-day holiday for civil and military service employees, as well as students from all educational levels residing in Kurdistan Region provinces and Kurdish areas outside the region's administration, from November 15 to 23.

The decision also mandated organizations, companies, and private sector institutions to provide facilities for their employees from Article 140 areas during this period to enable their participation in the census process.

The Federal Ministry of Planning revealed on Friday, November 15, 2024, the mechanism for counting non-Iraqi residents, explaining that the foreign population count would not include all the detailed questions contained in the general census form. This marks Iraq's first comprehensive population census since 1987, aiming to provide crucial data for future development planning and service provision across the country.

Further reporting was done by Kurdistan24's correspondent Muzafar Mzuri.