A video speech delivered by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to the people in commemoration of the population and household census enumeration for 2024
(1 September 2024)
I extend greetings to all esteemed Myanmar people and all national brethren with best wishes for enjoying all auspicious nesses and physical and mental well-being. The population and household census which has been enumerated in our country once every ten years will be collected in the entire nation from 1 to 15 October simultaneously. If we count it starting today, thirty days remain until the census taken process. The census concerning population, economic and social measures is to be taken for everybody once in the entire nation or a set plot. Enumerating the census is very wide with a large workload, spending a large sum of money. The majority of global countries conduct the census taken process once every ten years. Census measure is concerned with everybody and it is a must to be done. Hence, even developed countries which have full data of identity registration statistics regularly enumerate the census. In 2024, Myanmar will conduct its census again, ten years after the previous one in 2014. Moreover, as the State actually needs correct and accurate population data to manage present and future development projects of the nation, we decided to collect the census.
Our government is arranging enumeration process of the population and household census in the entire nation in accord with the international standards. As different steps of preparatory processes have been conducted since previous years, now is ready to collect population data on the ground.
Data from the census mentions not only total population but age and gender of the people residing in the nation as well as socio-economic measures and household data. So, it can be said that the census-taken process is of great importance for all. Such a process can show accurate population conditions and their lifestyles, and applying these data, we can implement the national interests of the State.
Our country is a Union blessed with natural beauties such as forests, mountains and waters as well as natural resources in harmony with diverse culture and customs of national races, and their languages. Our citizens have to for the Union spirit forever and to comprehensively know our country. Likewise, it is necessary to coordinate diversities to bring advantages to the State.
Esteemed Myanmar people
In studying development of a country, everybody needs to analyze population and socioeconomic statistics released by the relevant country. As such, it is important to compile correct and accurate statistics of the whole nation. These statistics reflecting development of a country is dubbed the mirror of the county. Census data used in adopting the policies for ensuring proportional development of social, economic and management sectors of a country and implementing the plans can be obtained from the census.
Data from the census are essential for drawing the effective development projects at different levels of administration and management arenas and making decisions based on evidences. Moreover, allotment of natural resources of the State, allocation of the finance and reassessment of the territorial areas are based on the population.
As data from the census will be analyzed and utilized in construciton of infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, health units, roads and bridges as well as doing research, such a census is much essential and important for the State.
In addition, the census can be used in compilation of correct and accurate voter lists which is basic needs for successfully holding a free and fair multi-party democratic general election which is the ultimate mission of the State Administration Council.
Furthermore, census data can contribute to analyzing external and internal development programmers to implement the Sustainable Development Goals–SDGs of the United Nations as well as the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan–MSDP.
It can be said that data from the census are figures on development of the State to be handed down not only to the tenure of our government but to forthcoming successive governments. To be able to correctly compile these valuable data, the census will gather information from all residents of the nation regarding population and household statistics.
In this regard, I would like to say that everyone must respond thoroughly to the questions, as this contributes to a data collection process that benefits themselves, their families, future generations, and the State. Hence, I would like to urge all to cooperate in the national census-taken process with thorough replies in order to initiate future of the State, anticipation of the people and their requirements.
Esteemed ethnic national races,
Although no measures can address every person across the world, the census process currently focuses on factors such as race, religion, age, and gender. The result of census is crucial for the State and benefiting individuals. So, everybody needs to accept gathering of census for fully enjoy the valuable right. They all need to participate in such a process. They have to thoroughly reply to all questions for all households as well as organizations raised by enumerators through door-to-door system without worries for the sake of new generations. I would like to note that the Population and Household Census Law, issued in 2023 for the census process protects the biometric data of individuals.
The census provides insight into the country's current situation, including population data by region, age, and urban or rural locations. It also classifies education levels, types of workplaces, and people's lifestyles. And then, the census can provide basic resources to be used in adopting necessary
plans in relevant regions and indicate necessary workforces. If so, capacity-building courses and proficiency courses can be conducted for turning out skilled workers. Likewise, preparations can be made for implementation of social security, aged care and aid for the persons with disabilities.
The census is useful for private economists and businesspersons to have the chances to seek the market, estimate number of consumers, manufacture products, give education and healthcare services whereas it can be applied in environmental conservation and rescue and relief measures for natural disaster-affected victims.
Esteemed people and brethren,
The national census-taken process will be implemented as a national duty soon for having figures, data and topics to be applied without fail in development measures of the State and other processes.
In conclusion, I would like to note that the population and household census to be enumerated from 1 to 15 October 2024 is a self-reliant national process based on internal human resources. Just a single person or an organization cannot implement such a process, and all citizens and national brethren across the nation have to successfully gather the census through the united strength as part of showing off capability of the State to the world. On other ward, it is a great chance to post a milestone through the collaborative efforts of the entire ethnic national people. That is why I would like to urge entire ethnic people to actively participate in the census-taken process as a national process of the State in accord with the motto: “Let’s enumerate census with public participation”.