Solid census data as well as a host of other information on citizens and residents will be collected by a new centre dedicated to national statistics, the state news agency, WAM, reported. The National Statistics Centre of the United Arab Emirates will be the country's only official source of data and will be run to international standards. A decree issued last night by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, lays out legislation for compiling official statistical data and defines the duties of the centre.
According to the decree, the centre will not only compile databases on the economy, demographics, society, agriculture, the environment and energy consumption, but will publish its findings. The centre will also have the right to conduct surveys and censuses. Population figures have not been updated in any meaningful way since the last census in 2005, despite indications that there has been considerable growth in the urban population.
WAM said the new centre would co-ordinate with smaller, regional bases to gather information at the local level. aseaman@thenational.ae