55,000 enumerators complete Moroccan Census 2024
Monday 30 September marked the final day of the 2024 General Census of Population and Housing in Morocco.
4 October 2024 11:00
Throughout September, an impressive team of 55,000 enumerators, supervisors, and controllers - easily recognizable by their burgundy-coloured caps - took on the challenging task of gathering crucial data from every household across the country.
The census was the seventh of its kind.
Data were collected from households across the nation, including urban, rural, and even nomadic populations. The census aimed to gather comprehensive information on the demographic, social, and economic conditions of Morocco’s population. This operation also extended to housing conditions, providing essential data for national development planning.
Wide Scope and Participation
The census included all residents within the Kingdom, regardless of nationality or residence status. This included individuals in ordinary households, nomads, the homeless, as well as those residing in institutions like hospitals and prisons. Foreigners living in Morocco were also counted, except for members of the diplomatic corps.
To conduct the operation, over 55,000 individuals were mobilized as enumerators, controllers, and supervisors. Participants underwent extensive online and face-to-face training, ensuring that they were well-equipped to handle the intricacies of data collection.
The census covered a range of important demographic and socio-economic factors, from household composition and education to health coverage, employment, and access to essential services. A dual questionnaire system was used: a short version for the entire population and a more detailed one for 20% of households.
Harnessing Technology for Precision
For the first time, the census utilized advanced technology, including the deployment of 55,000 electronic tablets. These devices, co-financed by the Ministry of National Education, were key to ensuring accurate and timely data collection. The tablets were securely managed, with encryption systems in place to safeguard the collected data.
The census also utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map the entire country, ensuring that no areas were overlooked. This involved geo-referencing 37,109 census districts and over 4.1 million buildings in urban areas. The mapping work not only facilitated efficient data collection but also provided valuable insights into the spatial distribution of Morocco's population and economic activities.
Supporting Development and Strategic Planning
The data gathered through the census will be instrumental in shaping Morocco's future policies. The information will help authorities assess the needs of the population and allocate resources in areas such as education, healthcare, employment, and housing. Additionally, it will contribute to the monitoring of sustainable development goals and the evaluation of public policies at both the national and local levels.
The High Commission for Planning, which oversaw the census, emphasized that this massive statistical operation is not just about counting people but also about understanding Morocco’s social fabric. The data will provide critical insights into the country's demographic trends, migration patterns, literacy rates, and languages spoken, helping to guide long-term strategic planning.
The budget for the Census 2024 is estimated to MAD 1.46 billion - the equivalent to around 135 million Euro.
Transparency and Security
In line with international standards, the census maintained strict confidentiality of personal data. The High Commission for Planning assured the public that the information collected would be used solely for statistical purposes and not for legal or economic enforcement. The use of encrypted systems and secure data transmission methods further guaranteed the protection of respondents' privacy.
Looking Forward
Now that data collection has concluded, the next phase involves processing and analyzing the information, with preliminary results expected in the coming months.
The 2024 General Population and Housing Census will serve as a foundational tool for planning, allowing the Kingdom to address challenges and opportunities in the future.
Statistical cooperation between Morocco and Denmark
For the past five years, Statistics Denmark has collaborated with Morocco's Haut-Commissariat au Plan (HCP), fostering a valuable exchange of best practices in statistics and digitalization. This partnership has involved joint efforts in IT, data management, and data quality improvement. During the census kick-off press conference in August, Moroccan Chief Statistician, His Excellency Minister Lahlimi, emphasized that the success of the highly digitalized RGPH 2024 would not have been possible without this vital cooperation.
The collaboration between HCP and Statistics Denmark is financed by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Strategic Sector Cooperation Programme.
You can read more about the project between HCP and Statistics Denmark here:
https://www.dst.dk/en/consulting/projects/morocco-2024-2026
Source: This news article is written by Klaus Munch Haagensen based on information from the HCP web site.