Every citizen of Belarus will receive an SMS message about the start of the population census. This was announced on the STV television channel by the Chairperson of the National Statistical Committee of Belarus, Inna Medvedeva, as reported by BELTA.
"Every citizen of the Republic of Belarus will receive an SMS. It will specify who can be enumerated (this will be very brief). It will also provide the address for the online census. This means one can immediately access our census website from a mobile phone," said Inna Medvedeva.
The head of Belstat noted that the development of a specific region will depend on the census. "It will be possible to make decisions on what funds need to be allocated to healthcare, education, infrastructure development, housing, and kindergartens. Today, we are conducting extensive informational work and are trying to convey to all citizens of Belarus that this event will take place," emphasized Inna Medvedeva.
As previously reported, from October 4 to 30, a population census will be held in the country under the slogan "A look at the present – a step into the future." Respondents will be asked to answer 49 questions, including those on basic demographic and national-ethnic characteristics, migration activity, education, sources of livelihood, employment, number of children, housing conditions, and economic activity.
Enumeration can be carried out in one of three ways: by independently and at a convenient time filling out questionnaires online, at stationary census stations, or at home during a personal interview with a census taker. Information on the addresses of stationary census stations will be available on the Belstat website. Online enumeration will be a convenient option for Belarusians temporarily staying abroad (if a person resides outside the country for less than a year, they are obliged to be enumerated, but adult relatives can do it on their behalf).
Collectively, all new approaches to conducting the census will help reduce the number of census personnel by three times, almost equally reduce the time taken to complete the census form, and, of course, improve the quality of procedures. A special call centre will also assist in conducting the census, which can be contacted from October 1 with any questions on the topic. A promotional census website is already operational at www.перепись.бел and www.census.by, where one can review data from the 2009 campaign and find useful information and advice about the upcoming event.