12,000 researchers begin the population census today

A block is a statistical neighborhood with electronic boundaries using GPS, and the researcher reaches the home using map technology, then knocks on the door to conduct the count. The form is filled out in front of the home, inside, or outside, depending on what the citizen finds appropriate.

In the absence of the person, the researcher agrees with the data provider, whether the head of the family or the person who answers the door, on another visit date; visits are made throughout the month and on all days of the week, including Friday and Saturday, and in the morning and evening periods, according to the area and existing conditions.

Visit schedules can be adjusted according to weather conditions, and the times when residents wake up and go to bed vary between governorates, such as Aqaba, and all these circumstances are taken into account in the field work.

The self-count process began on Thursday and continued until Saturday and was dedicated to 170,000 families that were previously identified and met the conditions for the self-count, after the Department of Statistics began registering households interested in this process from February to July of this year.

The department sent self-count links to all included households on Thursday morning, to fill out the form on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Those who did not receive the link will be counted in the field starting from Sunday, as it is currently not possible to include a citizen in the self-count if they have not registered their name in the process beforehand.

The Director General of the Department of Statistics, Haider Freihat, told "Al-Mamlaka" that most of the population in Jordan, both citizens and non-citizens, were not sent links and were not included in the self-count, noting that the self-count and field count are very close in terms of the time required to fill out the form.

Freihat emphasized that everyone without a national ID is included in the census, calling for focus on non-Jordanians of all categories and types, stressing that the form does not include questions about income or property, and for non-Jordanians, it is not related to the residency status of the person or family in Jordan, nor to the work permit for non-Jordanian workers.

He confirmed that there is no connection between the form and any other database or government agency, explaining that the census is limited to the population and their characteristics.

The form works intelligently, transitioning, based on the person's answer about being Jordanian or having a national ID, to a set of questions specific to Jordanians or to another set for non-Jordanians, bypassing unnecessary questions for each case.

It is required that the data provider is an adult familiar with the family's circumstances and characteristics, and can be the husband, wife, son, or daughter over 18 years old.

When asking about health insurance coverage or the educational status of each family member, the person present must be able to answer this data.

The same applies to non-Jordanians, as some of their residences do not include a traditional family, but are communal residences for youth, whether they are foreign students in Jordan or foreign workers, and in these cases, one of the residents plays the role of the data provider, provided they are familiar with the circumstances of the people living with them and can answer on their behalf.

In the event that a family member refuses to provide information or receive the researcher, the Department of Statistics primarily relies on the awareness of citizens and non-citizens, affirming that the process does not involve a violation of privacy, and that the data provided by the person will only positively affect them.

In case of refusal, the researcher agrees with the person on another visit at a convenient time, and if the second appointment is not suitable, they will be visited a third time, then a higher researcher with more experience will come to persuade the citizen or non-citizen to receive the researcher and provide data.

The department has taken steps to reduce reasons for refusal, including having the researcher be from the area and a native, often a teacher from there, and may be a familiar face to the family.

The department hopes that the citizen will give the researcher about 15 or 30 minutes to complete the data, noting that the census process is conducted once every 10 years.

Regarding logistical challenges and the issue of presence and internet, especially in remote areas, Freihat said that the department has prepared an alternative plan 'A, B, C' for each expected field challenge to deal with it.

Potential challenges include weak radio or cellular broadcast in some areas, in addition to weather, cold, and atmospheric conditions, and in case of unsuitable conditions, the ready areas will be visited and later return to the unprepared areas to collect data.

In some areas, the department uses local people to accompany the statistical researcher, ensuring that the citizen or resident feels comfortable with this person.

The field staff and relevant authorities and specialists in the governorates and villages are ready to facilitate the statistical researcher's task and reduce the time required to collect data.

Freihat emphasized that the questions are simple and do not require thinking or complexity, but they are deep in their statistical meanings, which the department will analyze later.

Regarding the housing census, the department conducted two previous visits, the first more than a year ago to identify statistical blocks, followed by the 'counting process' phase, where researchers stood in front of buildings and took a 'profile' of different buildings and residences in cities, villages, and farms.

These two phases were followed by the current phase, which includes direct conversation with the head of the family and collecting data from them.

Regarding the results of the self-count, Freihat said that the department sent links in two phases on Thursday, morning and evening, and does not have any numbers on the results of the first day, while the process continues on Friday and Saturday, before the field count begins on Sunday.

He emphasized that the census is 'from them and for them' and aims to improve developmental planning processes in infrastructure, services, and benefits for citizens, non-citizens, and their children and grandchildren.

He pointed out that the census is protected by law, and the data of citizens and non-citizens are legally protected, while the department needs this information once every 10 years.

He called on citizens and non-citizens to dedicate 15 or 30 minutes to provide data, considering it one of the means of expressing people's citizenship to their country and love for it.

He said that the statistical researcher is 'their son, brother, and sister,' and that the Department of Statistics is guests of the citizens, wishing to help them provide data accurately and clearly for the service of Jordan.