Economic Census 2024 kicks off after 10 years

The fourth Economic Census of the country kicked off today (10 December) after 10 years.

The census, which aims to get a comprehensive understanding of the structural changes in the nation's economy over time, will be conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) from 10 to 26 December utilising a fully digital system. 

Statistics and Informatics Secretary Md Mahbubur Rahman inaugurated the census at the BBS Square in Agargaon of the capital.

According to BSS officials, A total of 95,000 data collectors will be involved in this nationwide effort, which takes place once every 10 years to assess the state of the country's economy.

The main goal of the census is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the structural changes in the economy over time. 

Other objectives include mapping the structure of non-agricultural economic activities, providing basic information on enterprises under the System of National Accounts (SNA) 2028, Bangladesh Standard Industrial Classification (BSIC) 2020, and the National Industrial Policy 2022; updating enterprise data; categorizing institutions based on their economic activities; identifying the workforce engaged in these activities and their characteristics; gathering insights into facilities available in industrial and business establishments; and classifying industries and businesses based on capital investment and workforce. The data collected will be invaluable for policymakers, planners, researchers, and other stakeholders involved in industrial development.

The ceremony was attended by BBS Director General Md Mizanur Rahman, Economic Census Project Director (additional secretary) S M Shakil Akhter, deputy project director Md Mizanur Rahman, along with BBS staff, students from educational institutions, and members of the public.

To ensure the security and preservation of the data, all collected information will be stored at the Bangladesh Data Center Company Limited (BDCCL), which features state-of-the-art facilities. 

The data will remain confidential until it reaches the BBS server via BDCCL (Bangladesh Data Center Company Limited), ensuring compliance with the Statistics Act of 2013 and safeguarding personal information. The public is encouraged to cooperate by providing accurate information to enumerators.

S M Shakil Akhter, Director of the Economic Census Project, said, "After 10 years, the economic census has begun. Several measures have been implemented to ensure the accuracy and transparency of the process. We urge the public to cooperate by providing information to our enumerators."

This year's Economic Census will include new aspects, such as data on foreign nationals working in Bangladesh and information on digital and e-commerce businesses, report media.

The census will address social and environmental issues, identify challenges, and evaluate ICT integration in production processes through 70 questions. It will also analyse institutions' income, expenditure, and profitability.

The country has been divided into 13 divisions, 130 districts, 520 Upazilas, 2,600 zones, 19,000 supervisory areas, and 95,000 enumeration areas for the census.

The three-year Economic Census project has a budget of Tk579 crore.

As the national statistical agency, the BBS conducts population, agricultural, and economic censuses.

The country's first Economic Census was conducted in 1986, followed by the second in 2001 and 2003 (in phases), and the third in 2013.