Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Aug.8 / Trend, H. Hasanov /
Preparation for general census in Turkmenistan "is underway" to be held in late 2012, the local press reported on Monday.
A regular meeting by the State Commission was recently held in preparation for implementing the 2012 census.
According to the "Neutral Turkmenistan" newspaper, discussions were held to assess the achievements made in 2010 and the first half of 2011, and an action plan was outlined for the near future for the census listing (by number) of buildings, houses, households, and trials.
In particular, Turkmenistan's State Statistics Committee will use international GIS technology (Geographic Information System) to ensure working with cartographic material in an electronic format, and inputting the necessary statistical information onto an electronic card.
"Turkmenistan is one of the first CIS countries planning to introduce such a system enabling computerized planning, enumerating areas and automating work on mapping, as well as in replacing the obsolete methods of inputting, processing, and storing census data with a modern system."
The General Census of Population and Housing is the main source of information on number, age categories, structure, and population density, in conjunction with socio-economic characteristics, national, linguistic, educational, and other aspects.
The data received will be important in forecasting future developments and long-term state and social programs.