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Ethiopia Census

Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa with an estimated population of 77.1million people. This year, Ethiopia is carrying out its third national population and housing census to determine demographic trends in the country.

The census, which is the single largest administrative exercise in Africa and has been described as one of the most challenging, started on 29th May 2007 and was completed in seven regional states and two city administrations (Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa) within the first nine days. The counting of the population in Afar and Somali regions, where most of the people are nomadic, is planned to take place later this year, when the rains are over.

One of the major problems with a census is that the amount of data is so large that it can take many years for the results to become available. To reduce this delay the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) of Ethiopia commissioned DRS to provide fully optimised census forms and technology to process the census data.

DRS designed, printed and shipped 23 million census booklets to Ethiopia for the enumeration exercise, along with 11 of its own range of high-speed PhotoScribe® PS900 Series optical mark scanners and bespoke software. Together, the forms and scanning technology will process the census quickly and accurately, allowing the CSA to have the first results available in a matter of months.

DRS census data capture solutions are proven to deliver accurate, reliable and up to date census results for analysis, in a matter of a few months, rather than the years it might take using traditional methods.

Having been involved in eight National Census Population projects and more than 20 National Population registration projects around the world, DRS has the skills and experience in the complete census data collection cycle.

From the very earliest planning stages of the project and selection of the most appropriate technology, through to project implementation, document scanning and finally the export of the data to the census analysis package, you can be sure you're in safe hands with DRS.

DRS is able to offer the benefit of experience which has been gained from its involvement in eight National Census Projects, and more than 20 National Population Registration projects around the world including:

  • Australia Census 1996
  • Zambia Census 2000
  • Bangladesh Census 2000
  • Tanzania Census 2002
  • Cameroon Census 2003
  • Nigeria Census 2006
  • Sudan Pilot Census 2007
  • Ethiopia Census 2007