adminto conduct the actual population census scheduled for August next year, an official said on Monday.
Zimstats recently conducted a pilot census, which was meant to test enumeration and data processing methods.
The pilot exercise was also aimed at testing the new scanning technology to be used for the first time in next year’s census.
ZimStats population census manager Mr Washington Mapeta told New Ziana that the agency would engage various donors for assistance.
“We have already drawn up a proposal, which we will be forwarding to various donors soon,” he said.
Mr Mapeta said some of the money would go towards the ongoing field mapping exercise, which was envisaged to end in June 2012.
He said although the mapping exercise was behind schedule, it was progressing well.
Meanwhile, Mr Mapeta said results of the pilot census conducted in August would be out by the end of next month.
“We are now processing the data gathered and we will have the results by the end of October.”
A total of 100 areas across the country’s 10 provinces were covered during the pilot census.
Zimbabwe will next year hold its fourth national population census following previous ones held in 1982, 1992 and 2002.
The last census conducted in 2002 put Zimbabwe’s population at 14 million people.
Analysts expect the next census to show either a drop in population growth or stagnation after an economic meltdown fuelled by illegal sanctions Western countries imposed on country that drove more than a million Zimbabweans out of the country in search of better living conditions. – New Ziana.
Online Reporter