The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) with the support of the European Union and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) marked the completion of the 2024 Population and Housing Census (PHC) in an event held in the Government premises on July 9, 2024. The event brought together over 100 participants, representatives of the central and local public administration, the academic and scientific environment, civil society, census personnel, of the NBS and media representatives.

During the census completion event, the main results and findings of the census were presented, as well as the success stories and the solid partnerships created throughout the 3 months of the census were highlighted.

According to the preliminary data presented during the event, between April 8 and July 7, 2024, 2448 thousand people were enumerated in the PHC, which includes both population with usual residence and without usual residence in the Republic of Moldova, including duplicates, which will be identified at the processing stage. At the same time, during the above-mentioned period, 1655 thousand dwellings were enumerated, including occupied, secondary and vacant ones.

At the beginning of the event, Artur Mija, the general secretary of the Government and the president of the National Commission for the Population and Housing Census thanked the people who answered the questionnaires and who contributed to the success of this exercise, the enumerators, the mayors, the officials within central and local public administration and all those who contributed. He also congratulated the NBS for an exemplary execution of this important exercise for the Republic of Moldova, that will help in the development of our country. „Completing the enumeration is actually a starting point for developing our communities based on the updated information provided to us by citizens. The data obtained will help us better design infrastructure, modernize education, improve social and health services and make decisions based on people's needs. The direct benefits of the Census will be found over time in the fair and efficient distribution of budget funds, improved policies and better planning and execution of resources. The government is building a European Moldova and the information provided by the Census will guide us in everything we do to improve the lives of our citizens”, said Artur Mija.

Oleg Cara, the general director of the National Bureau of Statistics, vice-president of National Commission for the Population and Housing Census, mentioned that the year 2024 is the last year in the round of censuses that are carried out internationally and the census methodology has been adapted to the new requirements, including the new information technologies and the new methodologies that are applied in highly developed countries.

„The census constitutes the first stage of the completion of the Population and Housing Census during which data from the population were collected. The second important stage follows, which involves the use of administrative and private data to complete the data obtained during the enumeration and based on the data processing to produce and disseminate the data on the population and housing, necessary for the development of the country”, said Oleg Cara. At the same time, he expressed his gratitude to the inhabitants of the country who opened the door to the enumerators and provided the extremely necessary information to obtain statistical indicators about the number and structure of the population, demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The general director of the NBS thanked the enumerators and supervisors for their responsibility, dedication and effort during the 3 months of hard work in order to ensure the fullness and quality of the review work in the field. He also thanked the national and international partners, the business environment, the academic environment, patronages, unions, representatives of religious cults etc. for contribution and support in order to ensure the quality and comparability of the data at the international level and the media representatives for promoting this exercise in society and mobilizing the population to participate in the census.

For his part, Jan Demidovits-Mekelainen, responsible for the Program for Regional Development, Tourism and Statistics of the Delegation of the European Union, mentioned that the data from the Census are crucial for the process of integration of the Republic of Moldova in the EU.

„The European Union has been and will continue to be a strategic partner for the Republic of Moldova. In the context of the 2024 census, we have provided substantial support to ensure that this essential process takes place. This support included technical assistance, funding and expertise to implement modern methodologies and advanced technologies to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data collected. Conducting a census that complies with international standards and EU requirements is crucial. This not only guarantees international comparability of data, but also ensures that the information collected is reliable and relevant for the development of effective public policies. Compliance with these standards is essential to be able to integrate Moldova into the European statistical community and to support the process of getting closer to the European Union. In conclusion, I want to congratulate the Republic of Moldova on the success of the 2024 Census and to reaffirm the commitment of the European Union to support Moldova's efforts to develop evidence-based policies and to comply with international standards in all aspects of governance”, said Jan Demidovits-Mekelainen.

Natalia Plugaru, UNFPA Moldova deputy representativeUNFPA Moldova, declared how important it is to know the characteristics of the population in order to ensure a prosperous and fair future for everyone. „UNFPA together with the entire UN family, was a reliable partner of the National Bureau of Statistics in carrying out this census. Our support has included technical and financial assistance as well as international expertise to ensure the successful conduct of this complex process. We have been with the NBS at all stages – from planning and implementation to data collection, and we will continue to be with them, because data-driven policies are policies for people, and UNFPA works to ensure that no person is left behind, and can have access to the same services and opportunities”.

Aurelia Spătaru, deputy director of the NBS and moderator of the event, mentioned the main partnerships with which the NBS has established in order to collaborate on the successful conduct of the 2024 Census. In this context, representatives from various organizations/institutions – partners of the census, also took the floor.

At the event it was mentioned that the NBS will carry out the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) between July 15 and August 11, 2024, which aims to evaluate the enumeration activity, including estimating the level of coverage and data content errors. PES will be conducted on the basis of a questionnaire, which was already in the process of public consultation.

The first census results (preliminary data) are to be disseminated at the end of 2024, after data processing, using administrative data sources. Detailed final results, including by age group, sex, locality etc., will be available and published until the end of 2025.

This is the 3rd census since the declaration of independence of the Republic of Moldova.