Morocco to Conduct Nationwide Census in 2024 Using GPS Technology

The services of the High Commission for Planning (HCP) have already carried out all the preliminary work for the next general population and housing census, which will take place in 2024, reports the daily Assabah. "The HCP will use the global positioning system (GPS) to connect the mapping units with the census areas, data sites, residential areas and business premises," explained Ahmed Lahlimi, the High Commissioner for Planning, before the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives.

To read: Morocco Plans Seventh Census Since Independence, Aims for 2024 Completion

The preliminary work consisted of dividing the national territory into geographical areas that were then delimited, adds Lahlimi, specifying that his institution has used an integrated computer system to collect this data. Moreover, he announced, high-precision satellites will also be used to carry out this census. Likewise, central servers and computer programs will be acquired to ensure the success of the operation.

Lahlimi also assured that the HCP’s data is credible and in line with international standards, alluding to the differences observed between the figures published by his institution and other institutions such as the government, Bank Al-Maghrib and the World Bank. The High Commissioner for Planning also called on the government to support SMEs, which have been hard hit by the health crisis.