Kigali, 16 August 2012
Today in Kigali, President Kagame and his household were enumerated as part of the 4th national general population and housing census. The census which begins today and ends on August 30 aims to establish the rate of population growth and improve knowledge on the social, demographic and economic characteristics of the population of Rwanda.
The Director General of Institute of National Statistics Yussuf Murangwa explained that the census allows for evidence based planning and programming and it is one of the main statistical tools worldwide.
“The census is conducted every ten years to holistically assess the well-being of Rwanda’s population. Based on its outcome, programs are set to address issues that have become evident and that impact the living condition of the people,” Mr. Murangwa said
This census will cover a wide range of issues from population age to education at all levels, health insurance, residential arrangements, permanent or temporary, people living with disability, maternal mortality, fertility rate, employment, household living condition and access to water, urbanization.
The preliminary results will be available by December 2012 and the comprehensive report is expected by December 2013.
The previous census took place in 2002 and population of about 8,128,553 was recorded, while in 1992 it was 7,148,496 in 1992 compared to 4,831,527 in 1978. The National Institute of Statistics population projections put the current population around 11,033,141.
This year’s Census is established by the Presidential Decree No. 02/01 of 28/02/2011 organizing the 4th General Population and Housing Census.