ZIM Census budget short of $15,2 million

Government has so far availed $22 million out of $37,2 million required to hold the August population counting.

August 17 and 18 have been earmarked as census dates.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency director general Mutasa Dzinotizei said the theme for the 2012 population census is "be sure to be counted."

"The Government has so far allocated $22 million out of $37,2 million needed for the successful covering of the 2012 population census and efforts are still being made to close the financing gap from Government and development partners.

"UNFPA and other development partners have chipped in with financial and material support as the census is a costly exercise which needs a lot of resources," he said.

He added, "It is critical for everyone to participate in the census by co-operating with the enumerators through answering questions correctly and accurately since the census will cover everyone who will be in Zimbabwe on the census night, that is the night of August 17 and 18.

"Zimstat is urging everyone in spite of social, political, religious, economic background to participate in the census for population census data will guide policy makers for effective policy, planning and decision making purposes and this will improve the lives of all Zimbabweans," Dzinotizei said.

He said UNFPA and other development partners are also assisting financial. Zimstat, previously known as the Central Statistical Office, has been conducting a census every 10 years since 1982.

The last count in 2002 put Zimbabwe's total population at slightly over 12 million.