REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) is set to conduct a population census in 2020 to observe the portrait of Indonesian demography by collecting primary data of fertility, mortality, and migration, which is useful for policy makers.
"Demographic policy is one of the keys to successful development at national, provincial, and district or municipal levels. The availability of complete and accurate data is something possible," BPS chief Suhariyanto said at a demography seminar here on Tuesday.
The most important data, which will be collected from the population census, are related to fertility, mortality, and migration. The data are useful for policy makers to control population, build settlements and procure health, sanitation, and educational facilities, he stated.
The data obtained from the census will also be able to show population distribution and density, composition of urban and rural societies, available labor force, religious adherents, ethnic groups, and local languages, he noted.
The data will also depict the quality of Indonesian population from the standpoint of education, health, and economy, he added.
"With valid and quality data, the government will be able to implement various developmental programs as part of efforts to improve the people's standard of living and achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs)," he remarked.
The data will also play a strategic role in helping the government achieve the target of the SDGs for six issues, including poverty, famine, health, education, gender equality, as well as sanitation and clean water.
The 2020 population census will be the seventh of its kind conducted by BPS after 1961, 1971, 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010.
Based on the 2010 census, Indonesia's de facto population was recorded at 237 million. The Indonesian population is projected to reach 305 million in 2035.
"That is great. We will face whatever challenges that may lie ahead. Hence, we need to anticipate it from now on," he revealed.
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