BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MBABANE – Eswatini is turning to digital technology to improve the accuracy of population data as preparations for the 2027 Population and Housing Census gather momentum.
The shift from traditional paper-based methods to digital mapping and data collection is expected to provide government with more reliable and timely information for planning and service delivery. Speaking in an interview, demographer and statistical analyst Hanson Dlamini said the digital census would allow authorities to obtain a clearer picture of the country’s population and infrastructure.
He said fieldworkers would use tablets equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to capture the exact location of structures, including homes, schools, clinics and other buildings. The information will then be uploaded to a digital mapping system, creating a comprehensive database that can be used to guide future development planning.
“The digital approach allows us to know exactly where people live and where essential services are located. This helps government make informed decisions based on accurate information,” Dlamini said. He added that fieldworkers would be recruited from the communities where they would work, a move expected to promote trust and encourage greater cooperation during the data collection process. Recruitment of enumerators is expected to begin in early 2027. Dlamini said census information was essential in shaping government policies and development programmes.
The data can help authorities identify vulnerable groups, including older persons, orphans and people living with disabilities, ensuring that social support programmes are directed to those who need them most. It can also assist planners in determining where additional schools, classrooms and healthcare facilities are needed, while guiding investments in digital infrastructure and youth development.
He also highlighted some of the challenges they face when they are visiting the areas, they face security risks, including the theft of government-issued tablets, while other challenges include aggressive dogs, locked premises and residents who are unwilling to provide information. Accessing remote areas can also become difficult during periods of heavy rainfall, potentially slowing down the data collection process.
Dlamini appealed to emaSwati to cooperate with census officials by providing accurate and truthful information. “A census is more than just counting people. It provides the evidence needed to plan for the country’s future. When communities participate, they help ensure that resources are distributed fairly and that development reaches every corner of the country,” he said. The 2027 Population and Housing Census is expected to provide vital data that will guide national planning, resource allocation and policy development for years to come.
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