THE 2021 National Population Housing Census (NPHC) has been deferred to 2024.
The National Statistical Office has released a public statement dated July 9, 2021 confirming the deferral of the 2021 National Population and Housing Census.
John Igitoi, the acting National Statistician said in the statement that after three-year period of preparation, the office technically is ready to complete the roll-out.
“However, as responsible state agency it needs to adhere and execute necessary government measures and strategies in the interest of the nation which has been impacted largely by Covid-19 pandemic.
“The NSO have been charged with delivering a quality census that meets international standards, and it has prepared diligently to deliver on this task; however, some situations are questionable outside the NSO’s control.
“The unprecedented spike in the Covid-19 cases nationwide and the escalating number of deaths is such a case.
“The fear, which is already evident across social media, may prompt some households to refuse to participate in the census, thereby undermining the quality of the census.
“It will also undermine the government’s commitment and intension to conduct quality census that meets international standards.
“Furthermore, without ideal conditions, the quality of the census data may be compromised and does not justify the considerable expense invested in it by the government.
“It will increase the funding deflect even more to three to four times as social distancing has to be considered during the training of about 27,000 trainers, enumerators and supervisors.
“Many countries have opted to defer decisions on the census until after the Covid pandemic has been contained.
“Instead the government in consultation with NSOs are implying interim measures to ensure that the country at minimum has the statistical framework needed for policy planning purposes, pending the conduct of the full census.
“The option is available now to the Government of Papua New Guinea in which the NSO will utilize the population model used for the exercise is “remote sensing technology” in combination with available data from selected sources such as the Demographic & Health Survey (DHS).
“The NSO will provide a representative picture of the socio-demographic indicators of select parts of the country.
“This limited sampling can help the Government collect some of the information at a national level that is currently missing for reporting on the Sustainable Developmental Goals and is critical for the new Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP),” Mr Igitoi said.