7th Population & Housing Census 2023 National Census Report (First Ever Digital Census)
7th Population and Housing Census 2023 (First-ever Digital Census of Pakistan)
Government of Pakistan Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives Pakistan Bureau of Statistics Statistics House 21- Mauve Area, G-9/1, Islamabad Pakistan
Website: www.pbs.gov.pk National Census Report Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT i
Forward
The 7th Population and Housing Census -2023, in pursuance
of the decisions made in 49th meeting of Council of Common
Interests (CCI), was conducted digitally in the country during
March to May, 2023. The exercise was accomplished by the
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics with the assistance of
consulting agencies, NADRA, NTC and SUPARCO , and
cooperation of provincial and district administration in
providing all kind of administrative and human support and
Armed Forced for providing security during the whole
census process, including the Pilot Census and Post
Enumeration Survey of the Digital Censu s. I extend my
sincere gratitude to the officers and staff of Provincial Government Departments, as well as the
personnel of the Armed Forces, who played a pivotal role in the success of this operation. Their
dedication and involvement were truly commendable.
The Digital Census of Pakistan was notable for some of its distinctive features,
particularly the deployment of a web portal for self -enumeration. Such an approach is rarely
seen even at the global level. At regional level, no other country has ever attempted to empower
their citizens by enabling them to submit their census data through self-enumeration. This is a
remarkable achievement and great success story for the country. Similarly, it is essential that
the successful utilization of 12 0,000 tablet devices in the field, development of a
comprehensive Census Software Solution (ERP) consisting of sixteen distinc t modules,
training provided to the census field staff both on technical and IT aspects of the census, and
development of other necessary IT related infrastructure to meet the requirements of the Digital
Census are also to be highlighted.
Lastly, I am grateful to the officers and staff of the Ministry of Planning, Development
and Special Initiatives for their exceptional cooperation with the PBS staff. Together, they
worked tirelessly to efficiently finalize the results of Census-2023 in a remarkably short period
of time, thus enabling us to reach this significant milestone.
(Ahsan Iqbal) Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives
For the successful completion of census
operation the entire staff of PBS who
provided the administrative support in the
Head Office as well as
Provincial/Regional, and Field Offices
are to be congratulated for their
dedication and motivation to accomplis h
this challenging task.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT ii
Preface
Population and Housing Census is a n important national
undertaking which serves as a comprehensive data collection
exercise to gather information on various aspects of the population
and housing conditions. It provides essential demographic
information such as population size, age distribution, gender ratio,
and other demographic indicators, as well as data on various
socioeconomic factors such as education, employment, disability/
functional limitation, and household amenities. This information is
crucial for policymakers to formulate development pla ns and
policies that cater to the diverse needs of the population . Additionally, census data plays a
significant role in electoral representation, resource allocation at both national and local levels,
and determining funding distribution for development projects, social welfare programs, and
infrastructure initiatives.
In Pakistan, since its inception, six population and housing censuses have been
conducted at various intervals in the past. These censuses took place in 1951, 1961, 1972, 1981,
1998, and 2017. After some controversies arose regarding the reported census fi gures, the
Council of Common Interests (CCI) while approving the results of 6th Population and Housing
Census-2017 directed to conduct the next Population and Housing census as early as possible,
utilizing the latest technology. Pakistan Bureau of Statisti cs (PBS) accordingly began
preparations for the next 7th Population and Housing Census in the country.
In pursuance of the CCI decisions and recommendations of Census Advisory
Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission to
devise recommendations for adoption of the International best practices , PBS carried out the
whole process of the 7th Population and Housing Census by using digital technology.
Furthermore, in order to ensure smooth implementation of the census operation, a pilot census
was conducted to thoroughly test all census -related procedures, methodologies, to ols, and
software.
The field operation of the census was commenced by structure listing on 1 st March,
2023. The main census field enumeration began on 12th March, 2023, with the initial deadline
for completion set on 4 th April, 2023. However, in response to the requests from provincial
governments for complete coverage , the field enumeration was extended four times by the
Census Monitoring Committee, ultimately concluding on 30th April, 2023. In certain districts,
mainly due to the under-enumeration, the census field operation was further extended until 21st
May, 2023.
Furthermore, as approved by the CCI in its 49 th meeting and recommended by the
committee on Trend Analysis of Census Data for 7th Population and Housing Census (Digital
Census) constituted to analyze trends and determine suitability of the census data , Post
Enumeration Survey for the 7 th Population and Housing Census -2023 was conducted during
8th July to 19th July, 2023. Accordingly, the final summary results of the 7th Population and
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
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Housing Census -2023 were compiled by factoring in the findings of the Post Enumeration Survey and submitted for the approval of CCI on 2nd August, 2023. In its 50th meeting held on 5th August, 2023, the CCI considered the final summary results and unanimously approved the results of 7th Population and Housing Census-2023. Conducting a census is a monumental task in itself, but the challenges grow exponentially when combined with the introduction of technology for the first time in the country. I extend my heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to Mr. Muhammad Sarwar Gondal, Member (Support Services/RM) and Project Lead for the Digital Census, Mr. Ayazuddin, Member (Census & Surveys) who commendably completed his tenure on 13th November 2024, Ms. Rabia Awan, Deputy Director General (Census Planning and Coordination/CPMU), an d their entire team for their tireless dedication and efforts in successfully completing the census operation under challenging circumstances. I also wish to thank the provincial and district administrations for their active participation in providing administrative and human support; the consulting agencies, NADRA, NTC, and SUPARCO, for ensuring timely arrangements of essential hardware and soft ware; and other stakeholders for their invaluable support. My special thanks go to the Armed Forces, whose relentless efforts were indispensable to the success of this endeavor.
(Dr. Naeem uz Zafar) Chief Statistician ستارہ ٔ امتیاز
August 2024 For the successful completion of census, I express my profound appreciation and admiration for the active and enthusiastic participation of the entire nation, without which this achievement would not have been possible.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
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Acknowledgement Council of Common Interests (CCI), in its 45 th meeting held on April 12, 2021, approved the final results of the 6th Population and Housing Census-2017 and decided that the process of the next census should start as early as possible according to international best practices by using latest technology. Recognizing the critical role of the census in shaping political rep resentation and resource allocation, the Government of Pakistan established the Census Advisory Committee. This committee, comprising eminent demographers and experts from all provinces, was tasked with developing recommendations for the 7 th Population and Housing Census. To ensure credibility and transparency while aligning with global standards, the Census Advisory Committee conducted an in -depth review of international practices and United Nations principles. Based on their findings, the committee proposed conducting the 7th Population and Housing Census digitally, integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) technology for real-time monitoring and enhanced precision. Traditionally, population and housing censuses in Pakistan have been conducted using paper-based methods. This approach underwent a significant change when, in its 49th meeting held on January 13, 2022, CCI approved the Census Advisory Committee's recommendations to conduct the 7 th Population and Housing Census in digital format. In the meeting, CCI also approved the Census Work Plan, Census Questionnaire, and the establishment of the Census Monitoring Committee (CMC). The CMC was tasked with closely monitoring census activities to ensure the entire operation is conducted efficiently, transparently, and credibly. This decision represented a major step forward in expediting the census process in a technologically advanced and trustworthy manner. PBS, accordingly, carried out the 7th Population and Housing Census by digitizing the whole census process starting from HR and Task Assignment Web Portal to Inventory Management, Communication Application, Complaint Management System, CATI Support Module and provision of Dashboards at provincial and census district level for monitoring and complete coverage. For census data collection, tablet devices equipped with various software applications, including house/structure listing and household enumeration software, were utilized. Many of the Modules envisioned for the Digital Census were thoroughly checked and their performance and output were verified during the pilot census conducted in 33 administrative districts across Pakistan during 20th July, 2022 to 3 rd August, 2022. The main aim of the pilot census was testing of validity and suitability of the entire c ensus plan and its organization. Despite many impediments and challenging timelines , PBS completed main census related activities on time including training of 300 Master Trainers at Islamabad, training of 3460 Trainers at Divisional level and training of 120,000 Enumerators at Census District level
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
vi NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT
on both subject matter and IT related aspects of the Digital Census . Similarly, PBS and its stakeholders achieved major milestones , including, digitally updating of census blocks; acquisition of 120,000 tablets and their hardening; development of ERP system and acquisition of latest imagery of Pakistan prior to start of the main census field operation . The Digital Census also implemented a distinctive feature of self -enumeration through a web portal, thus enabling 2.6 million individuals to conveniently submit their census related information online. I would like to especially acknowledge and congratulate Mr. Ayazuddin, former Member (Census & Surveys), and Ms. Rabia Awan, Deputy Director General (Census Planning and Coordination/Census Project Management Unit), along with the entire team from subject matter, support s ervices, GIS, and field s ervices, for their untiring efforts and commitment throughout the census operation. Their devotion and determination, particularly in the face of challenging circumstances, were truly commendable. Thanks to their collective efforts, the project was successfully completed within the stipulated timeframe. While we should take pride in this accomplishment, I firmly believe that there is always room for further improvement. Therefore, I wholeheartedly welcome any constructive comments and suggestions from all the stakeholders involved. Let us continue to strive for excellence together.
(Muhammad Sarwar Gondal)
Member(Support Services/ RM)
Project Lead Digital Census
ستارہ ٔ امتیاز
The Digital Census project has been a remarkable success, and I extend my sincere appreciation and admiration to the entire census team for their exceptional dedication and hard work.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
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Digital Census Core Team
Dr. Naeem uz Zafar
Chief Statistician/ Chief Census Commissioner
Mr. Muhammad Sarwar Gondal
Member (Support Services/Resource Management)
Team lead/ Focal person for Digital Census
Mr. Ayazuddin
Member (Census & Surveys)
Dr. Amjad Javed Sandhu
Director General Administration
Ms. Rabia Awan
Deputy Director General (CPMU/CP&C)
CPMU/ CP&C Team
Project Lead: Mr. Muhammad Sarwar Gondal Member (SS/RM)
Section Incharge: Ms. Rabia Awan DDG (CPMU/CP&C)
Names
Designation
Dr. Naveed Iqbal
Joint Agriculture Census Commissioner
Dr. Arshad Mehmood
Chief Statistical Officer
Ms. Rumana Sadaf
Chief Statistical Officer
Ms. Ayesha Sajid
Instructor
Mr. Saeed Ahmed
Assistant Census Commissioner
Mr. Hazrat Khan
Deputy Census Commissioner
Mr. Saqib Sultan Khawar
Statistical Officer
Ms. Sana Habib Chaudhry
Statistical Officer
Ms. Hina Kanwal
Statistical Officer
Mr. Javed Ahmed
Assistant Census Commissioner
Mr. Zubair Ahmed
Data Processing Officer
Mr. Asif Khawaja
Data Processing Officer
Syed Farhan Ali
Data Processing Officer
Mr. Sabahat Nadeem
Data Processing Officer
Mr. Zameer Ahmed
System Analyst
Ms. Momina Babar
System Analyst
Ms. Tayyaba Rehman
System Analyst
Mr. Ali Raza
System Analyst
Mr. Umair Saeed
System Analyst
Mr. Fakher Hashmi
Librarian/TW
Mr. Muhammad Awais
Statistical Assistant
Mr. Arsalan Anwar Bajwa
Statistical Assistant
Mr. Muhammad Babar Usman
Statistical Assistant