Coming Dec. 16, 17Census will help planning, development [Archives:2004/789/Business & Economy]

Mahyoub Al-Kamaly
By holding its general census on Dec. 16 and 17, Yemen seeks to boost its development and help social and economic challenges.
It considers the census as one of the essential pillars that would help move into the modern world, as information from the census is connected to the future: with technical, vocational education and social development and also with work, science as well as manpower that the country aspires to develop.
Figures derived from documents of the National Council for Population indicate that Yemen's population has more than doubled during the past 30 years, from 8.1 million people in mid '70s to 17.5 million people at the end of the '90s.
It is expected to reach at around 30 million people in the year 2025.
Instead of depending on unverified figures, the Yemeni government wants to define the situation, and lower the rate of growth to a reasonable average not exceeding per cent.
The census would draw a clear map illustrating age groups, qualitative composition of the population and an accurate definition of the proportion of males to females as well as the proportion f age groups to the population in general.
The population change must be balanced with the resources and the economic and living standards made possible with the gross domestic product in a way that is interwoven with population policy of the homeland including the health of mother and child, family, and reproduction health.
So the preparations for the date of census must be backed up by the society, official establishments, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and political parties and all social segments.
The Yemen government also expects the census to create an effect in the level of implementation of census plans and the campaigns prepared for them.
That includes enlightenment on contents and goals of the census and dissemination of awareness about the nature of population problems and expected developments, the increase of political support for population programs and the ideal use of media instruments in enlightenment for the giving prominence to the Islamic stance on various issues.
The stages for preparing for the census include explanation of dimensions of population growth and its effect on the process of development and changes in Yemeni society.
Population growth interacts through averages of birth, mortality and migration abroad, but it is measured on the basis of the variance between the rate of birth and that of mortality.
The census would clarify the facets of existing dysfunction.
Official sources view the census results to set plans for economic growth in the manner that would preserve the society and its continuation of its development.
It would also put into consideration the volume of agricultural land area and the animal and fish wealth as well as mineral, oil and gas riches.
Joining forces by all concerned parties, the popular, political, partisan and media efforts would certainly serve the census.
Those data and statements are also needed in the governorates and districts in addition to the capital for the purpose of drawing up their local; plans for development by using studies scientific methods.
The census would also help overcome the existing problems such as the rise in the average of the individual's consumption, the construction movement advance over agricultural lands, ecological imbalance and the rise in averages and amounts of production solid and liquid wastes.
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