Sharjah census 2015 under way

Sharjah: The Department of Statistics and Community Development in Sharjah will be conducting a full census of the emirate for 2015 announced Shaikh Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al Thani, Director-General of Sharjah Statistics Centre at the Sharjah Census Forum today.

The decision, which was approved by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, will include a general census of the population, education, infrastructure, housing and establishments in Sharjah.

The Department of Statistics and Community Development has been tasked with developing the census, and is assigned to implement it in cooperation with government bodies in the emirate.

The development process will also include contributions by companies from the private sector, the media, and the public as it will also rely on human elements to collect the data.

“Sharjah census 2015 will be conducted in accordance with the United Nations recommendations and its principles for census planning and implementation,” said Al Thani.

Advanced technology using the geographic information system (GIS), which is designed to manage and analyse all types of spatial and geographical data, will be used to accurately collect data, making it a paperless and environmentally friendly process. Government agencies and academic and private researchers will be able to make use of the GIS compatible census data in planning for human development and infrastructure and conducting the necessary social and economic studies, explained Al Thani.