Zimbabwe census to exclude those in diaspora

The population census, which will be conducted next month, will see all Zimbabweans who will be in the country between the 17th and 18th of August being counted but those who would have visited neighbouring countries and those who live in the diaspora will not be counted.

The clarification follows questions as to whether Zimbabweans in the diaspora will be counted during next month's census.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Harare provincial and district census training workshop, Director Population Census and Surveys, Mr Washington Mapeta said the population census will focus on Zimbabweans within the country on the census night only.

He said the country will rely on immigration authorities and neighbouring countries for statistics of people in the diaspora.

On diplomats, immigrants, vagrants and others, Harare Provincial Census Co-ordinator, Mrs Elizabeth Banda said census enumerators have the expertise to deal with a variety of groups, adding that the population census will indicate the number of people living in Zimbabwe including citizens and foreigners.

"A census is meant to provide demographic and socio-economic data required in the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of development plans and programmes," said Mrs Banda.

A population census helps a country to obtain current data on the size, age and geographical distribution of the population.

This also helps to inform policy at all levels to make rightful decisions, Mrs Banda said.

Meanwhile, preparations for Zimbabwe to conduct its fourth census in August 2012 are at an advanced stage with the training of provincial and district coordinators drawn from all ministries currently under way.