BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE – The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development hosted the official send-off ceremony for the 170 field officers that will lead the preparatory phase of the 2027 Population and Housing Census.
The event, held at the Happy Valley Hotel on 8 January 2026, marks an important step in ensuring that every household and individual in Eswatini is accurately counted in the next national census.
The Honourable Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Dr. E. Tambo Gina, emphasised the importance of the decennial census for national planning and development. “A population and housing census provides essential data for policy-making, resource allocation, and informed decisions across all sectors of our economy,” he said.
The ceremony was also attended by the Principal Secretary of the Ministry, Thabsile Mlangeni, and the Director of the Central Statistics Department, Thembinkosi Tshabalala, who praised the commitment and dedication of the field teams.
The 2027 Population and Housing Census, conducted by the Central Statistical Office in line with United Nations standards, will begin with a mapping and listing phase starting on 14 January 2026 and continuing until October 2026.
Mapping involves updating detailed geographic maps and dividing the country into Enumeration Areas to ensure that no area is missed or counted twice. Listing requires field teams to visit each area, record all structures, classify them as residential or non-residential, and assign unique identification numbers to households and buildings. This preparatory phase is critical to prevent undercounting or overcounting and to create a reliable framework for surveys and operational planning.
The field officers have undergone extensive training, which concludes tomorrow, 9 January 2026. They will be easily recognisable by their brownish-blue T-shirts, bags, official identification cards with photos, and authorization letters, all bearing the 2027 Census logo.
Dr. E.T. appealed to all citizens of Eswatini to cooperate fully with the census teams, stressing that public support is essential for the success of this national exercise. He said, “Your participation will ensure that we collect accurate information to guide the country’s development for the next decade.”
With today’s official send-off, Eswatini has taken a major step toward achieving a complete and accurate 2027 Population and Housing Census, providing essential statistics that will shape the country’s planning, development, and progress in the years to come.
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