Morocco launches nationwide census

Morocco will start a nationwide census on September 1-30 to gather comprehensive data on the country’s demographics, economic conditions, and social trends, officials from Morocco’s high commission for planning HCP said.

About 50,000 people will gather information from households in a headcount that would cost 147 million dollars, officials said at a press conference.

This is a “national, sovereign operation with a Moroccan identity,” said HCP head Ahmed Lahlimi.

He underscored the apolitical nature of the census, urging citizens to engage with census enumerators.

Enumerators, most of whom teachers and researchers, will ask questions on demographic conditions as well as issues such as access to school, health, and social safety nets in addition to electricity, water, and employment.

The data will remain conditional on tablets provided by the HCP to enumerators.

Respondents will not be asked about their salary, religious beliefs, or individual liberties, he said.

The 2014 census found that Morocco had a 33.8 million strong population.