2020 National Population Census to be Held Online, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi delivers his directives on the 2020 national population census, at the State Palace, Friday (24/1). (Photo by: PR / Jay)

The Government has announced it will combine the civil registration database and the online census for the 2020 National Population Census.

“These data will be used by Minister of Home Affairs,” President Jokowi said in his remarks at the Launching of 2020 National Population Census at the State Palace, Friday (24/1).

According to the President, citizens can easily participate in the online census through a website (sensus.bps.go.id/) instead of waiting for door-to-door Central Statistics Agency (BPS) officials or going to regional BPS offices.

“In accordance with Gerakan Indonesia Sadar Administrasi (the Indonesian Administrative Awareness) campaign, this aims to educate the people regarding the importance of an accurate source of administrative data,” the President said.

The President added that Ministry of Home Affairs will use the data produced by the 2020 population census to complete population administrative data as a reference for future developments as stipulated by Presidential Regulation Number 62 of 2019.

In the meantime, Head of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) Suhariyanto said the first phase of online census will be carried out between 15 February and 31 March, while the BPS officials will conduct phone or face-to-face interviews from 1 to 31 July.

In the second phase, the BPS will follow up the data from this year’s population survey with a sample census in 2021.

“Under Law Number 16 of 1997 on statistics and recommendations from the United Nations, each country should hold a population census at least once in every decade,” the BPS Head said.

For the record, the Government started to collect population data in 1961, which means this year is the seventh national census. A total of 54 countries will hold a population census this year.

According to Suhariyanto, the Government has issued Presidential Regulation Number 39 on Indonesian Single Population Data and Presidential Regulation Number 62 on the National Strategy for the Acceleration of Civil Registration for the Development of Vital Statistics (AKPSH).

“The National Strategy for AKPSH is expected to accelerate civil registration and the development of continuous, universal and inclusive vital statistics,” he said.

Head of BPS also said that the Government will collect data from Indonesian citizens both at home and abroad, adding that the 2020 national census will provide data on the population number, composition, distribution and characteristics of the citizens which is in line with de facto and de jure boundaries.

“The census will provide demographic parameters and other population characteristics for population projection purposes,” he added.

The 2020 National Population Census, Suhariyanto continued, will be held in all regions across Indonesia,  involving representatives of the Republic of Indonesia abroad, all Indonesian citizens, as well as foreigners who have lived in the country for more than a year. (FID / EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Muhardi
Proofread by: M. Ersan Pamungkas