(NYASATIMES MALAWI) Census data critical for Malawi says UNFPA
Census data critical for Malawi says UNFPAFont size: Rubby Suzghika 10 November, 2008 11:36:00
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative, Ms. Esperance Fundira, has said census data plays a key role in many aspects of any democracy and economy.
She was speaking at the launch of the latest results of the national population and housing census.
“Reliable data obtained through the census is vital for monitoring how the country is doing in its efforts to reduce poverty trough various goals,” said Fundira.
The results showed that there is population growth of more females than males in Malawi. Out of 13,0666,320 Malawians, 6,365,771 are females representing 48 percent and 6,700,459 are males representing 45%.
The survey said the annual growth rate for Malawi during 1998 to 2008 was 2.8 percent per annum compared to 2,0% in 1998, 3, and 7 percent in 1987.
It reveals that Lilongwe rural has the highest population of1, 228,146 while Likoma Island has the lowest population of 10,445.
The survey shows that the country’s cities; Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu have high population figuresLilongwe has 669.021; Blantyre population is at 661444 while Mzuzu has 128432 and Zomba’s 87,366.
Cencus revealed that population has grown by 32% compared to that of 1998.
UNFPA head said all development partners as well as the United Nations strongly believe that importance of reliable data would help for an effective decision making and for monitoring of development policies and programmes for overall development.
“The availability of up to date data and reliable statics is critical if Malawi is to enhance its efforts towards more evidence policy making,” said UNFPA country head.
She commended DFID, IRISH AID, AFRICAN DEVELPMENT BANK for the technical support they rendered during the exercise.
posted by MrK @ 8:04 PM
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