BY NOXOLO DLAMINI
PIGG’S PEAK- The Government of Eswatini has emphasized that the ongoing Population and Housing Census is a crucial step in the successful implementation of the Eswatini Youth Employment Opportunities Project (EYEOP), as it will provide accurate data for economic planning and youth development initiatives.
Speaking on the importance of census The Deputy Census Commissioner Hanson Dlamini said, the exercise will help government determine where young people are located and how many of them are eligible to benefit from the initiative.
Dlamini noted that the last national census was conducted in 2017 and that a new census is due in 2027 in accordance with the Census Act and the Statistics Act. He added that collecting updated information is essential for effective planning and decision-making across various sectors.
He further stressed that gender considerations remain an important aspect of the census, ensuring that development programmes are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all citizens.
Dlamini also highlighted that the Population and Housing Census goes beyond counting people, as it also assesses buildings and their conditions. The information gathered will assist government in identifying the location and condition of structures across the country, providing valuable data for future planning and development.
The Minister urged emaSwati not to remove the stickers placed on homesteads by census officers, explaining that the markers are important for making the population census process more efficient and accurate.
He revealed that mapping and listing activities commenced in February 2026 and that fieldwork is currently underway, with the exercise having reached 49 percent completion across the country.
Dlamini concluded by appealing to the public to warmly welcome census officials into their communities and cooperate with them throughout the exercise to ensure the success of the national census, which will inform future government planning and development programmes.
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