Albanian Institute of Statistics: Satisfied with the conducted population census

Following the population and housing census in Albania, the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) states that, despite the challenges faced during the process, they are content with the completed job. In a statement to Kosovo Online, Olta Caca, the director of the methodology department, emphasizes that the census has achieved its goal.

"The census had its challenges because such a significant undertaking required financial and human resources primarily. That was our main challenge – recruiting staff and training all these people to work in the field in shifts to meet all deadlines. Another problem was that Albania has many mountainous areas that are not easily accessible, despite having all the tools. Additionally, we have settlements with a very high population density. Often, our enumerators had to visit the same villages and houses two or three times to complete the census," Caca says.

According to her, the most challenging aspect was conducting the census in areas affected by the earthquake in November 2019.

"This is because those areas experienced a structural change in population. New residential buildings were constructed, which are not fully visible on our maps. This made the enumerators' work more difficult. In Tirana and Durres, the job was additionally complicated due to the significant construction of residential buildings that occurs every year. That's why the census in those areas was extended until November 15," Caca explained.

She adds that special attention during the training of personnel for conducting the census was dedicated to ensuring that questions related to national and religious affiliation were correctly addressed. Although these questions were not essential and were asked in accordance with international standards, citizens were given the opportunity to freely express themselves.

"We dealt quite extensively with this issue during the training of personnel to ensure that the census was conducted properly regarding national and religious affiliation. Our people rose to the occasion. Training was conducted for enumerators, controllers, and supervisors. They were also given instructions on how to properly fill out the questionnaire. In addition to enumerators, our staff was in the field monitoring the process."

These were the only questions that required confirmation of answers, as Caca emphasized, adding that Instat is currently conducting post-census field research and assessments of the quality and quantity of the census. This work, which started on November 20 and lasts until December 20, will assist in a proper evaluation of the census.

As she highlighted, the results at the national level will be published in June of the following year, and later in the year, detailed census data at the level of districts and municipalities will be released.