The results of Pakistan’s historical digital census have been revealed. Naeem uz Zafar, Chief Census Commissioner and Chief Statistician of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) unveils preliminary findings of Pakistan’s groundbreaking seventh national and inaugural digital population census.
During a press conference, the Census Commissioner disclosed that Pakistan’s population had reached a staggering 249,566,743 individuals, equivalent to approximately 249.5 million or around 25 crores. Regarding province-wise distribution, Punjab emerges as the most populous province, surpassing 127,474,000 residents, equating to around 127.4 million or approximately 12.7 crore individuals.
The population of Sindh exceeds 57,931,000 individuals, corresponding to approximately 57.9 million or around 5.7 crores. On the other hand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has a population surpassing 39,823,000, which is roughly 39.7 million or approximately 3.9 crores in the digital census.
Balochistan’s population stands at over 21,977,000 residents, equivalent to about 21.9 million or approximately 2.1 crores. In the federal capital, Islamabad, the population has reached 2,359,422, amounting to approximately 2.3 million or around 23 lac in the census.
Since the previous census, the Census Commissioner highlighted a significant increase of 49 million individuals (~4.9 crores) in Pakistan’s population. Regarding the overall expenditure, the Census Commissioner revealed that the inaugural digital census would impose a financial burden of over Rs. 34 billion on the national exchequer.
What is a Digital Census?
A digital census refers to a population census conducted using digital technologies and platforms instead of traditional paper-based methods. It involves the use of electronic devices such as computers, tablets, or mobile devices to collect, manage, and analyze census data.
Respondents may be provided with online forms or mobile applications to submit their demographic information in a census. Census enumerators may use electronic devices to capture data during field visits.
The collected data is typically stored electronically and processed using digital tools and software. This modern approach offers advantages such as improved data accuracy, faster data processing, enhanced data security, and easier data analysis compared to traditional paper-based census methods.
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In conclusion, Pakistan’s adoption of a digital census marks a significant milestone in its population assessment efforts. The utilization of digital technologies and platforms has provided a more efficient and accurate means of collecting and analyzing demographic data.
The substantial increase of 49 million individuals since the previous census underscores the importance of conducting regular population assessments to inform planning and policy decisions. While the digital census has undoubtedly incurred a considerable cost, the benefits in terms of data quality, processing speed, and data security make it a worthwhile investment.
The successful implementation of Pakistan’s first-ever digital census sets a precedent for future population assessments in the country and showcases the potential of technology in revolutionizing data collection methodologies.
The comprehensive insights gained from the census will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and various sectors in making informed decisions and addressing the evolving needs of Pakistan’s growing population.
