BY NONTSETSELELO DLAMINI (INTERN)
MBABANE – The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development has announced that the 2027 Population and Housing Census will begin soon, urging all Emaswati to participate fully in the important national exercise.
The census will be conducted by the Central Statistical Office (CSO), which is responsible for collecting and managing official national statistics. Authorities say the census will provide reliable data about the country’s population and living conditions, information that is essential for planning and development. Government, planners, researchers and development partners depend on census results to make informed decisions about jobs, roads, health facilities, schools and housing. Accurate statistics help ensure that resources are distributed fairly across regions and communities, and that future development programmes are based on real needs.
During the census period, trained fieldworkers, will visit households across the country to conduct face-to-face interviews. The enumerators have been carefully selected and trained by the Census Team Authorities to ensure professionalism and confidentiality. To help residents easily identify them, the fieldworkers will wear official T-shirts displaying the government coat of arms together with the census logo. They will also carry identity cards signed by the Director of Statistics, which must be visible at all times. Citizens are encouraged to check these identification details before participating in the interview process.
Residents will be asked a range of questions about their households and living conditions. These will include the name or owner of the structure, the physical address, the highest level of education attained by household members, the number of rooms used for sleeping, the type of materials used to construct the building and whether the household owns or operates a business. Officials have emphasized that all information collected will remain strictly confidential and will only be used for statistical purposes. No personal details will be shared publicly.
After completing the interview, households will receive a 2027 Population and Housing Census sticker, which will be placed on the door frame to confirm that the household has been counted. Authorities are encouraging Emaswati to avail themselves for interviews, ensure discussions are conducted in private, give honest and accurate answers and secure pets to protect fieldworkers. The government has stressed that being counted is not only important but a civic duty, as the information gathered will shape national policies and development plans that affect current and future generations.
