On September 11, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals on the effective organization of population and agriculture census.
Determining prospects of the country’s development requires exact knowledge of demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population, level of life and welfare of the citizens, as well as the status of the agrarian sector. This is why the census has a key meaning.
The last nationwide census was organized in 1989 in our country. In the recent years various steps were taken in this direction. Particularly, a law “On population census” was adopted, according to which the population is subject to census at least once in 10 years, agriculture – every 5 years.
In 2021 a test population census was conducted, in 2022 – agriculture. However the organization of full-scale census requires time to study the international experience and develop necessary measures, thus its organization has been postponed.
Proposal on the organization of a single population and agriculture census was reviewed during the presentation, prepared considering the international practice with participation of the World Bank, UNFPA and FAO.
According to the plan, the census will be held in Uzbekistan from January 15 to February 28, 2026. During the first 17 days, the data collection will be organized online through the Internet, next month – going door-to-door with the participation of the “mahalla seven” representatives.
The new format will allow to significantly reduce the costs – 1,3 trillion soums will be saved. The process will become more simple and transparent, the number of questions will be reduced from the initially planned 328 to 71.
As a result of the census a single data base will be created on the structure of a 38-million population of our country, migration, marital status, employment types and revenue sources in according with the recommendations of the 2020 Conference of European Statisticians.
Data on the use of agricultural land, livestock and poultry population will be clarified. This will allow to assess the effectiveness of the 25,6 trillion soums annually allocated to the sector, including 2,2 trillion of budget funds, volume of services provided and ensure food security.
In order to ensure quality organization of the population census, “mahalla seven” representatives will be trained in a special program and financially stimulated. Funds from the project to strengthen the statistical system, implemented with the support of the World Bank, will be allocated for this purpose.
In addition, a large-scale information campaign will be organized through the media and social networks, with the release of special programs and videos to raise public awareness.
Overall, the census will allow to determine real indicators in the demographic and agricultural spheres, which is of great importance for the targeted and effective implementation of state programs.
The Head of State approved the proposals and instructed the responsible persons to ensure the systematic and high-quality conduct of the population and agriculture census.