Eritrea

1. Eritrea Country presentation on the status of Population and Housing Census

2. Content • Background • The 1998 Planned Eritrea Population and Housing Census • Census after the border conflict • Alternative Measures Taken • 2005 Urban Population Census • Population Registration • Challenges • Interventions required

3. Background • National Statistics office (NSO) was established in 1993 mandated to collect and compile statistical information and disseminate to the government and other users.

4. Background • To satisfy the immense need of data the NSO has conducted two surveys from 1995-1997; • Eritrea Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) in 1995 and • Eritrea Household Income and Expenditure Survey from 1996/97 (EHIES) • The experience gained from these two surveys has energized the office to plan for the first National Population and Housing Census

5. The 1998 Planned Eritrea Population and Housing Census • The plan for Census started in early 1995. • The UNFPA agreed to assist with funding for the preparatory work and was later joined by CIDA-Canada. • The preparatory work consisted of purchase of vehicles, cartography equipments, development of a digitized base map of Eritrea, and delineation of enumeration (EA) , supervisory areas (SA)

6. 1998 Planned Eritrea Population and Housing Census • The census questionnaire, enumerators, and supervisors manuals were developed and field-tested and adjusted. • Moreover, the data processing schedule and editing procedures were developed with external technical assistance. • The training of trainers, training of enumerators, and the printing of census instruments, was scheduled and the census date was fixed to be December 10, 1998. However, the census was not possible because of the border conflict

7. Census after The Border Conflict After the end of the border conflict in June 2002 • The census work was reactivated and preparatory work resumed • The fieldwork for re-delineation of expanded villages and urban centers was reactivated in September 2002 and EA maps updated accordingly. • The detail work plan of the postponed 1998 census was updated in 2003 and a revised budget drafted. But the date could not be determined for the following reasons

8. Census after the Border Conflict • Many displaced people in temporary security zones in the border areas with landmines and other hazards, the large number of recruits in the military service/delays in demobilization (absentee household members). • The extension of the conflict to date has hindered the realization of census in Eritrea. • Census to be conducted as soon as the current stalemate is solved and planned for 2008.

9. Alternative Measures Taken To fill the information gap NSO has conducted the following surveys after the border conflict: • The second Demographic and Health survey and the living standard measurement survey in 2002 • Household Living Standards Measurement Survey (LSMS) in 2003. • Participatory Poverty Assessment (PPA) in 2002

10. Alternative Measures Taken • These three surveys have significantly increased the understanding of the demographic and health situation as well as the nature, extent, geographical distribution, and structural causes of poverty in the country • Provided a sound analytical basis for formulating the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy and food security strategy

11. Alternative Measures Taken • However these surveys were not able to satisfy the population information needs of the country (particularly size and growth). • Therefore, the following other alternatives that could generate timely and reliable population information were designed.

12. 2005 Urban Population Census • The first ever population census conducted in the major urban centers of Eritrea. The National Statistics Office, conducted the census with the financial assistance provided by UNFPA. • The primary objective of the census was to provide up-to-date and reliable information on the population size, structure as well as on the levels of fertility, mortality, and migration of the major urban centers. • Analytical reports of the census is expected to be completed by the end of January 2007.

13. Population Registration • Recently, efforts have been made by regional administration offices to gather population data that will be helpful for their respective development planning. • In 2006, all the six regions of the country have conducted household based population listing with an objective of obtaining population and socio-economic data on the resident population.

14. Challenges • Border situation: With the ongoing no peace - no war scenario, it is difficult to conduct the census. • Legal Basis: The Statistical Act has been drafted and translated into the official languages and its early proclamation is crucial for the activities of the NSO in general and for conducting the planned population and housing census. • Shortage of high level experts: The inadequacy of experienced and qualified staff at a higher level in the office

15. Major activities required to undertake census in 2008 • Proclamation of the statistical act • Mobilization of resources • The re-delineation of enumeration and supervision area maps • Development of advocacy and publicity documents • Updating of the census materials • capacity building