Kosovo holding trial census

The Kosovo authorities have started a trial census of the population and residential and commercial premises in five municipalities. The plan is to check the recording mechanisms, the capacities and willingness of the statistical collection agencies. Kosovo holding trial census Deputy Public Services Minister Rifat Balku said that 27 years had passed since Kosovo’s last census, adding that the pilot project had started in five municipalities, 12 towns and 14 counties for registration of the mixed population. He said that the census’s purpose was to gather data on all communities living in Kosovo. "We hope that this campaign will also enhance awareness-raising among municipal commissions and their participation in the preparations. Everything points to this trial census being a success, and, in the end, we will get the green light to conduct a general census next year,” Blaku said. It is expected that, after several failed attempts, a general census in Kosovo will begin on April 15, 2009. A general census was organized in Kosovo in 1991, but ethnic Albanians boycotted the process. The size of the Kosovo population is currently based on the estimates of the Kosovo Statistical Institute. According to this institution’s data, the province has an estimated population of over two million, the majority being ethnic Albanians, while Serbs comprise just over five percent. The big problem as far as the census is concerned is how to include the displaced Serb and non-Albanian population. It is estimated that there are over 230,000 displaced people from Kosovo currently residing in central Serbia and Montenegro. The Kosovo assembly is still to confirm the exact date of the beginning of the census.

Kosovo holding trial census

Deputy Public Services Minister Rifat Balku said that 27 years had passed since Kosovo’s last census, adding that the pilot project had started in five municipalities, 12 towns and 14 counties for registration of the mixed population. He said that the census’s purpose was to gather data on all communities living in Kosovo.

"We hope that this campaign will also enhance awareness-raising among municipal commissions and their participation in the preparations. Everything points to this trial census being a success, and, in the end, we will get the green light to conduct a general census next year,” Blaku said.

It is expected that, after several failed attempts, a general census in Kosovo will begin on April 15, 2009.

A general census was organized in Kosovo in 1991, but ethnic Albanians boycotted the process.

The size of the Kosovo population is currently based on the estimates of the Kosovo Statistical Institute. According to this institution’s data, the province has an estimated population of over two million, the majority being ethnic Albanians, while Serbs comprise just over five percent.

The big problem as far as the census is concerned is how to include the displaced Serb and non-Albanian population.

It is estimated that there are over 230,000 displaced people from Kosovo currently residing in central Serbia and Montenegro.

The Kosovo assembly is still to confirm the exact date of the beginning of the census.