Prishtinë, 10 Novembver 2022
The first Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development and Dialogue of the Republic of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, participated in the Population Census Week conference, organized by the Kosovo Statistics Agency within the OPM, supported by UNFPA-Office in Kosovo.
In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi said that the updated data from the population census will help us generate important indicators for measuring human development.
“Through registration data, we can accurately measure economic, financial, service, health, social, cultural and other demographic, geographic, gender and environmental activities. To understand more clearly the needs of our citizens, and to draft fair policies based on real demands for improving life in different sectors in the country,” said Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi.
About 12 million euros will be allocated to enable us to have a complete system of statistical data, in line with the best international and national practices. International regulations and the EU acquis in the field of statistics require from national statistical systems an infrastructure based on basic principles such as impartiality, reliability, transparency, confidentiality of data and publication of official statistics. Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi said that as the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, we express our commitment and readiness to support the Statistics Agency in the population census.
Below, the full speech of Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi:
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Redzepi
Dear Mr. Berisha and Kastrati,
Dear Ms. Brkovic
Dear representatives of missions and international offices in Kosovo,
Dear representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo,
Representatives from non-governmental organizations,
And you others present,
Thank you for the invitation. I am pleased to be part of the Population Census Week, such an important project for the statistical system of the Republic of Kosovo. Based on the Programming of Official Statistics, on the objectives and priorities of the statistical system of Kosovo, and the Law on Official Statistics in the country, is the Advancement and development at the highest level of stability and statistical reliability. Statistical data in general, and Census data in particular, form the sample for all scientific research and the basis of the entire national statistical system.
Statistics are essentially about the truth and reliability of official information in our Republic. Therefore, in order to fulfill national and international requirements and standards, the Statistical System of Kosovo will continue to develop, increasing the productivity and quality of official statistics in the country. Updated data from the population census will help us generate important indicators for measuring human development. Where through registration data we can accurately measure economic, financial, service, health, social, cultural and other demographic, geographic, gender and environmental indicators. To understand more clearly the needs of our citizens, and to design fair policies based on real demands for improving life in different sectors in the country. In Population Census Week, now that the Government has decided on the date of the census, which is September 1-October 16, 2023, I would like to bring before you a symbiotic relationship between statistical data and society. In how the state can not only collect data from citizens, but also how this data can be used to influence the social sphere.
The Census of Population, Family Economies and Housing in Kosovo is one of the most important state projects, and as an official count in the entire territory of the country, it requires the commitment and cooperation of central, local, and international institutions. We, as the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, express our commitment and willingness to support the Statistics Agency in the population census.
Now, more than a decade after the last population census, Kosovo needs updated demographic and socio-economic data. About 12 million euros will be allocated to enable us to have a complete system of statistical data, in line with the best international and national practices. International regulations and the EU acquis in the field of statistics require from national statistical systems an infrastructure based on basic principles such as: impartiality, reliability, transparency, confidentiality of data and publication of official statistics.
Kosovo in its democratic orientation, and on the way to European integration, must fulfill the reforms, which simultaneously offer better opportunities for citizens and enable the country to develop standards equal to those enjoyed by EU citizens. The principles of the European Statistical Code of Practice established in the Law on Official Statistics in the Republic of Kosovo, are a clear guide on what standards should be based on the production and publication of official statistics.
Unlike the census of 2011, the next census in Kosovo on September 1, 2023, will apply the innovative approach of implementation through the digitalization of the process of collecting, analyzing and distributing statistical data. The technical part is further complemented by active citizen engagement which helps the process of carrying out the population census. Where every resident of the Republic of Kosovo is obliged, during the Registration, to provide the registration officer with all the correct data for himself and his/her relatives.
Also, of particular importance is the fact that the population census will be comprehensive and qualitative, not only in terms of those registered, but also of the persons included in the survey. For this, the Government of Kosovo will provide all the necessary tools for a successful registration, being maximally committed to a democratic process of registration, where all people living in Kosovo will be registered and will be officially counted from the 4850 people who will to engage during this period.
We are convinced that after the new figures that will emerge from this census, the way will be opened for us as policymakers to create appropriate development policies and they will create a new image for Kosovo internationally.
Thank you.
Last modified: November 11, 2022