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PRESS RELEASE

Myanmar National Commission on Population and

Development, Parliamentarians and UNFPA Hold Forum on

2014 Census

NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar, 3 May 2012 —Plans for Myanmar’s 2014 Population and Housing

Census were discussed today with lawmakers and members of the National Commission onPopulation and Development, in a forum organized by UNFPA, the United Nations Population

Fund and the Ministry of Immigration and Population.

Earlier this week in the nation’s capital, the United Nations and the Myanmar Government

exchanged letters setting out principles for conducting the census in accordance with

international standards, and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged international donors to

support the effort. (See press release dated 30 April 2012). UNFPA will provide technical

expertise and help to mobilize resources.

A successful census will require “broad and effective partnership” involving various government

sectors, parliamentarians, civil society, the private sector and international organizations, U Khin

Yi, Chairperson of the National Population and Development Commission, told the forum. It will

be the role of the Commission to help facilitate that partnership, he said.

The event was the first gathering of Myanmar’s newly established Parliamentary Committee on

Population and Social Development. The Committee Chairperson U Maung Maung Swe said:

“Data obtained from the census will be linked to the national planning.” He called on all

stakeholders to cooperate in undertaking the 2014 census.

UNFPA Representative Mohamed Abdel-Ahad spoke about the demographic transition

Myanmar is going through. Calling for stakeholders’ cooperation, he said the census would be an

essential tool for developing responsive policies. He added that “ Censuses generate accurate

information on population growth and help to estimate current and future needs, including needsfor schools, teachers, hospitals, doctors, nurses and employment opportunities, housing, and

social security and safety nets.”

Designing, implementing and monitoring socio-economic development plans call for accurate

and up-to-date census data, including information about the population age structure, sex ratios,

geographical location, education and employment levels, as well as access to health services,

water and sanitation, and other living conditions.

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Christophe Lefranc, UNFPA Regional Adviser on Population and Development, highlighted

challenges in conducting the 2014 Myanmar census and shared good practices and experiences

in conducting population and housing censuses in other countries.

A wide-ranging exchange followed with the members of the National Commission and theParliamentary Committee. They discussed, among other issues:

  The content of the census questionnaire

  Inclusiveness of the census of all the territories of Myanmar including coverage of 

remote areas

  The need to mobilize local authorities and constituencies to support the census at state,

region, township and lower administrative levels.

  Communications activities using various channels — including the media, local leaders,

faith-based organizations and community volunteers — needed to create public awarenessabout the census.

With Myanmar’s last population census taking place in 1983, the Government has given priority

to conducting the 2014 count. Dr. Nyi Nyi, Deputy Director of the Department of Population,

noted that preparatory work on the census started in 2011. “Actual enumeration is planned in

April 2014; preliminary results will be released before the end of 2014 and more detailed ones in

2015,” he added. 

Mr. Abdel-Ahad reiterated UNFPA’s commitment to a successful census and pledged to support

both the National Commission and the Parliamentary Committee.

# # #

 For more information, please contact:

Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Ahad, UNFPA Representative at ahad@unfpa.org

U Myint Kyaing, Director General, Department of Population, Ministry of Immigration and

Population, tel. 067 431 062

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that

promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal

opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to

reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young

person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.  

UNFPA – Because Everyone Counts 

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