Statistics dept to conduct online population census in 2020

PUTRAJAYA: The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) will introduce an online population census known as E-Census in the census programme implementation year in 2020.

The move will be in line with technological advancements in Malaysia and the changes in people’s lifestyles, said its Chief Statistician, Mohd Uzir Mahidin.

He said the department had targeted 30% to 40% of the country’s total population to use the E-Census system, specifically among the urban population.

“The system is suitable for adaptation considering the people’s current lifestyle, many of whom are not at home when officers on duty come to conduct the census at their houses,” he said.

“However, the house-to-house census will be continued in certain places especially in rural areas,” he said to Bernama after completing his run at the Stats Asean Putrajaya Run 2017 today.

Besides saving manpower cost, the system would also produce more accurate information, he said.

Before implementing the E-Census system, the DOSM will introduce a special smartphone application to enable easy participation in the census.

“Population census in Malaysia is undertaken once every 10 years, and the Statistics Department also obtain birth and death rates from the National Registration Department every year,” he said.

Mohd Uzir also said the department would add more information on the MyLocal Stats application, that was introduced in mid-2016 to provide information and data for every district in Malaysia.

“At the moment, the application provides the number of industries and companies, birth and death rates as well as the total population according to gender and age for each district.

“The department will soon introduce data on district administration such as the number of schools and hospitals. It will also cooperate with the Police Department on accident and crime rates in the district,” he said.

Meanwhile, some 4,000 participants took part in the biennial Stats Asean Putrajaya Run 2017 to celebrate Statistics Day on Oct 20. -FMT