VIENTIANE (Xinhua): Laos has officially launched its fifth population and housing census, running nationwide from Nov 3 to Dec 28, with results serving as a baseline for implementing the national socio-economic development plan and tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
The census will gather information on population size, structure, growth, and distribution, as well as data on ethnicity, disability, housing, education, and access to services.
The results will provide crucial insights into living conditions across all ethnic groups and guide government policy and development planning, Lao News Agency reported on Wednesday.
In addition, the launch marks the country's first fully digital population census, following four years of preparation.
The digital approach will improve data accuracy and accessibility, strengthening the national statistical system. -- Xinhua
