Paraguay begins population census with results expected in 7 months

Paraguay will carry out the 2022 National Population and Housing Census in urban areas on November 9, while in rural areas it will last for two weeks, reported the director of the National Institute of Statistics (INE), Iván Ojeda.

“The census begins today and ends today in urban areas, and will last up to two weeks in rural areas,” said the director of the INE at a press conference, the agency stated on its Twitter social network account.

Read also: Check out our coverage on Paraguay

This November 9 is a national holiday in the country on the occasion of the census.

Ojeda announced that the INE will give the first official data in seven months.

The official thanked the 30 national and international observers who will accompany and verify the development of the census. The international observers come from statistical institutions in the region, including Mercosur (Common Market of the South) and other Latin American countries, the INE reported on Twitter.

Mercosur is made up of Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Venezuela (currently suspended).

The nationals represent public institutions of the State, universities and other organizations that monitor the statistical development of the country. Among the populations registered are the native peoples.

Mateo Martínez, leader of the Maká community of Mariano Roque Alonso (a city located in the Central Department, next to Asunción), said at the same press conference that in the previous census (2012) the town he represents did not reach 1,000. members throughout the country, and now it will be known how many they are, reports the local radio station Ñandutí. Martínez reported that there are indigenous census takers who will collaborate with the data collection.

With information from Sputnik