Sharjah in trial ahead of census in October

The emirate is conducting a four-day trial census in four areas ahead of the real thing next month, which aims to attain accurate statistical data.

SHARJAH // A four-day trial ahead of Sharjah’s 2015 census will conclude on Thursday.

The pilot phase includes buildings, homes and commercial properties in Al Majaz 2, Al Rahamaniya 5, Sharjah Industrial Area and Al Rolla.

The emirate’s department of statistics and community development said Census 2015 will officially begin next month. Census staff are visiting residents and businesses in the areas, collecting information such as the number of members of each family and how many families live in each building.

“The implementation of this pilot phase comes in line with a strategic plan that was set to ensure its execution and performance,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani, chairman of the statistics department. “The pilot phase will help us identify the points of weakness in the forms and the technical system and assuring the quality of the census in October.”

The trial census will be followed on Sunday by a discussion of the findings.

In February, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, issued a decree to conduct a general census of the population, infrastructure, housing and establishments in his emirate. The census aims to attain accurate statistical data on economic, social and demographic sectors, as well as other factors.