Donors Conference on the issues of the General Population Census of Georgia

Date: 5 October 2022

The Donors Conference jointly organized by the Government of Georgia, the National Statistics Office of Georgia and the United Nations Population Fund Georgia Office (UNFPA) was held on the issues of the General Population Census 2024. The aim of the conference was to mobilize donor assistance and to coordinate support for the General Population Census. The conference was attended by the representatives of embassies accredited in Georgia, World Bank, the United Nations and other international organizations.

 

The conference was opened by Mr. Revaz Javelidze, Head of the Administration of the Government of Georgia, Mr. Gogita Todradze, Executive Director of the National Statistics Office of Georgia, and Mr. Hassan Mohtashami, the representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Turkey, Director of the offices in Georgia and Azerbaijan.  

 

"The General Population Census is planned for 2024. It is one of the most important statistical activities that the country will conduct in line with international recommendations. Today's meeting is very important, that we would like donor organizations to be actively involved along with the Government,"stated Mr. Revaz Javelidze at the meeting.

 

As Mr. Gogita Todradze, Executive Director of the National Statistics Office of Georgia, pointed out at the conference, that the Population Census is one of the large-scale statistical activities and provides up to date information on population size, its sex and age structure, various information on social, economic and dempgraphic charachteristics. According to him, the estimated budget required for conducting the Population census for the years 2021-2026 is about 29 million GEL. and in this regard, the contribution from donors are very important. 

 

According to Mr. Hassan Mohtashami, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)representative in Turkey/Country Director for Georgia and Azerbaijan, the National Statistics Office of Georgia has the capacity and all the competencies’ skills to conduct the census nationwide in country. Also, Mr. Mohtashami noted, that the Government of Georgia is well prepared to carry out large-scale statistical activity.

 

On June 6, 2022, the Government Coordination Commission of the Population Census of Georgia approved the program of the 2024 General Population Census and made a decision to conduct the population census during the period from November 14 to December 19, 2024. 

 

The United Nations Economic and Social Council adopted a resolution on June 10, 2015, requiring member states to conduct at least one census in the 2020 World Round of Population and Housing Census, taking into account international and regional recommendations. The 2020-2024 World Round of the Population and Housing Census is defined as the period 2015-2024.

 

Georgia, as a member of the United Nations, takes into account international recommendations and expresses readiness to participate in the 2020 World Round of the Population and Housing census.

 

The Population Census will provide up to date information on population size, its sex and age structure, various information on social, economic and dempgraphic charachteristics, both at the level of self- governing unit as well as setlements ones. This information is necessary in order to determine the demographic situation of population in the country, determine the priorities on socio-economic development and for informing the population. The General Population Census provides the important source for assessing the implementation of  the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

For maximizing the efficiency of available financial and human resources, the Government Commission decided to conduct an Agricultural Census together with the Population Census. Thus, along with the socio-demographic data, the information on households’ agricultural activities will also be obtained.

 

In order to optimally use the costs and human resources spent on the census, the Government Coordinating Commission decided to conduct an agricultural census along with the population census. Accordingly, along with social and demographic data, information about agricultural activity of households will be collected.

 

Based on its mandate, the United Nations Population Fund provides technical assistance for conducting the Population Censuses in many countries of the world. The UNFPA Georgia office supported the Population Censuses in 2002 and 2014 censuses and continues providing financial and technical support for the Population Census 2024. The Donor’s meeting represents significant joint event of the National Statistics Office of Georgia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia office for mobilization and coordination  donor’s assistance for the Population Census.