General Background about the Census:
Census implemented by the department of statistics in Jordan
The first housing census in the
Kingdom was conducted in 1952.
The main objective of that census was limiting all building and housing units and their basic characteristics. In addition to that, a quick population enumeration only was carried out and the total population was 586.2 thousands.
The second Population and Housing Units
Census was implemented in November 1961 and covered both banks of the Kingdom. Scientific methodologies in conducting censuses in line with UN recommendations were employed in this census compared to the first census. Detailed data on population such as demographic and socio-economic characteristics were collected.
More ever, detailed data on buildings, housing units and associated services were also collected. The total population of the eastern bank of the
Kingdom was 900.8 thousand.
The third Population and Housing Units Census was conducted in November 1979. it has covered the eastern bank of the
Kingdom only because the occupation of the west bank prevented conducting it in both banks. The total population of the eastern bank of the
Kingdom was 2133 thousands.
The Department of Statistics has carried out the fourth census on October 10, 1994 where the population and housing censuses were merged together. Data on buildings and housing units were collected. Total population was 4139.5 thousands.
The fifth Population and Housing Units Census is scheduled to be carried out in 2004. The estimated population at that time is expected to reach 5-6 millions. The cabinet has approved conducting the census in its session held on 23/5/2001.
The General Population and Housing Units Census 2004:
The general census is defined as the over all procedure for colleting
and preparing various demographic and socio-economic data
on all components of the population and housing units in a certain
country or any specified part of it with out deletion or repetition.
The same data is usually evaluated, classified, analyzed and disseminated in any other form at a simultaneous time period called the reference period of the enumeration operations. The reference period of the Population Census 2004 was defined to be the night of Friday / Saturday dated 1/2 of October 2004.
It is noted that the general Population and Housing Units Census is the largest statistical operation carried out in the country, where huge financial and human resources are mobilized for collecting miscellaneous data in order to fulfill various administrative, statistical and executive purposes.
Main Objectives of the Census:
The comprehensive census is characterized with the following unique features compared to other statistical operations:
It providers comprehensive and detailed data on all population of the Kingdom, their demographic and socio-economic characteristics at the lowest administrative of geographic level.
It provides the necessary data for evaluating the population status in the Kingdom during period separating the two census, in addition to monitoring the demographic and socio-economic variations occurred on the population during that period for all administrative regions from the locality level till the governorate level.
It provides the possibility of limiting the size, distribution and characteristics of non-Jordanians in the Kingdom including the expatriate labour force at a high level of accuracy instead of depending upon estimations and expectations, in addition to identifying the size of Jordanians abroad where certain specifications apply to them.
It provides data on available housing units, their utilities, characteristics and living conditions related situation. It also provides the essential basic data for formulating a clear housing policy.
It provides a comprehensive and updated frame for the buildings, housing units households and enterprises according to various localities and administrative divisions. This frame is fundamental in the process of designing and drawing of samples for carrying out various future surveys.
It provides a data base for each household that can be linked to available maps through the geographic information system (GIS) these data could be linked to other available services information such as schools, health centers, roads, universities, civil defense centers, police stations … etc. It is also possible to identify the household and individuals, addresses quickly through use of the computer and this system.
The data collected in the census directly serve data users in the public and private sectors at various levels. This helps in sound planning and decision taking based on accurate information.
Use of Census Data:
Census data are used in the following areas:
(agricultural and enterprises) as much as possible.
The Census Stages
The census stages are considered to be successive and interactive with each other. Each stage passes smoothly and according to order. The output in each stage should serve the following stages. Planning for the census is continuous and not constant . The census stages include the following:
The Preparatory Stage (pre-census stage)
The Actual Counting Stage.
The Data Processing Stage.
The Data Evaluation Stage.
The Data Analysis Stage.
The Data Dissemination Stage.
The census Documentation.
The Preparatory Stage
The Department of Statistics (DOS) completed the numbering process of the buildings, housing units, households and establishments which began in March last year in its preparations to implement the General Population and Housing Units Census in October 2004.
The numbering process was based on dividing the population localities into statistical divisions against the naming and numbering system adopted in the cities and municipalities . The cities and municipalities were divided into many regions, each region divided into a group of communities and each community into a number of blocks.
It is worthy to note that DOS began in 2002 the preparation process to implement the Population and Housing Units Census in order to evaluate the population situation in the Kingdom and to produce the data necessary for development planning in the administrative, economic, demographic and environmental spheres.
Pre-Test:
The Department of Statistics (DOS) aims to test all census stages and inputs in carrying out this pre-test, particularly the field work phases to be implement during the comprehensive census. It will be a scale for measuring the readiness of the staff who will work in the census, and to evaluate the adequacy of administrative and technical potentialities for this purpose. Additionally, it reveals the level of training efficiency of the field team and its effect on contacts with the citizens in one hand and the level of response and cooperation by them in the other.
DOS also aims to know the level and efficiency of services and facilities (field and office) offered by various ministries and instructions participating in this national event.
Completion of the Housing Units Counting and Commencement of the Population Census within the Pre-Test at the City of Aqaba:-
The Department of Statistics Completed the Housing Units Counting Stage Which began on 19th April 2004 and Continued till 22nd April 2004.
The Department of Statistics is currently implementing the second stage of the experimental Population Census in cooperation with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority after completion of the Housing Units Counting. This stage includes the population counting which continues till 30th April 2004. Preliminary results are expected to be announced during the first week of May 2004.
The buildings and housing units counting stage:
The department of statistics will start the buildings and housing units counting stage in the second half of July 2004. The census administration held training cusses for participating staff from the ministry of education among other objectives of the counting process is to attain highest levels of aceuay and comprehensiveness of collected data.
The buildings and housing units counting questionnaire conations comprehensive and detailed data which helps to evaluate the type and suitability of the housing units. This evaluation allows the derision makers to study the health and living conditions of the population in addition to providing basic data for formulation clear out population policy the buildings and housing units questionnaire contains the following questions:
The building data:
Type of building.
Year of for edition laying .
Type of occupancy of the building .
Construction materials of outer walls .
Number of floors.
Availability of lift.
The housing unit data:
Type of the housing unit.
Type of occupancy of the housing unit.
Type of holding (ownership of the housing unit).
Rent of leased housing units.
Occupancy period of the housing unit.
Type of heating.
Main sauce of drinking water.
Source of lighting.
Area of the housing unit in square meters.
Area of liability of toilet and kitchen.
Type of sewage.
Total number of room and bedrooms.
Population Count stage:
The Department of Statistics ( DOS ) shall conduct the General Population and Housing Units census during the period 2-8 October 2004 in all governorates of the hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Thousands of governmental employees will participate in this national event . They will visit all housing units, Jordanian households in addition to (visitors and residents ) from all nationalities in the Kingdom.
The Census Administration would like to thank the citizens, residents and visitors for their cooperation and participation in this national effort. Meanwhile, the Administration hopes that every body should maintain all painted/ pasted signs and numbers on the buildings and housing units to facilitate the work of enumerators during the census
Higher Committee Meeting:
The Higher Steering Committee of the General Population and Housing Census 2004 discussed many issues in its first meeting on 14/09/2003:-
The draft Census questionnaires
Fields of cooperation between the Department of Statistics and various governmental institutions
The over all Census plan.
Logistical support by various governmental institutions for a successful Census
Meeting of the ministerial committee:
The ministerial committee of the general population and housing unit’s census 2004 has discussed in its meeting held on 24-12-2003 several subjects which included the following:
Approving the inputs of the buildings and housing units’ questionnaire and th house hold questionnaire.
All governmental institutions are required to extend the necessary support to the census management free of charge .The objective is to ensure successful census operations as per the already prepared plan.
Coordination between the census management, the ministry of education and the ministry of interior to provide the required support in all census stages.
Meeting of the Directors of Education:
Census staff and Directors of education in all governorates held a meeting on
14 -2-2004 in the Department of Statistics. The following subjects were discussed:
Meeting of the Information Committee:
A meeting for the Census Information Committee was held in the Department of
Statistics (DOS) chaired by H.E. Dr. Hussein Shakhatreh. He has pointed out
that the main objective of the information campaign is to enhance trust and
credibility between DOS and citizens. This will be positively reflected on
data quality which will help in formulating future planning as well as various
socio-economic development plans.
H.E.
The Director General has landed the role played by the Radio & TV corporation.
The Armed Forces, the press and all other governmental institutions to turn
this important national occasion into real success.
The Information Committee has reviewed the plan submitted by the Directorate of Moral Guidance, the Development Media and Census management. It was agreed to combine the three plans in one plan so that each party will work on its share for ensuring success of the information campaign
Meeting of the Administrative Governors:
Meeting of Media Means:
Ameeting with representatives of various media means was held at all the Department of Statistics.H.E.The Director General emphasized the importance of the data and information to be obtained from the census which will help all sectors in accurate decision according to needs of the Jordanian society.
H.E.The Director General , Dr. Hussin Shakhatreh pointed out that the pre-test of the general population and housing units census will be carried out in Aqaba. He stressed upon the role of media to spread awareness among citizens and to manifest the census objectives.
* Census News:
The training course on planning , design and implementing the general population and housing units censuses was terminated in the Department of Statistics (DOS). It was held in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) during which the employees of the Iraqi central census bureau were trained on implementing the general population and housing units censuses. The participants were also briefed of the Jordanian experiment in the field of population and housing units censuses.