The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) will start a 2020 population census on 15 February. There is something new in the collection of population data nationwide, namely the use of online systems. The online system has also been implemented in a number of developed countries. In this system, it needs an active role from the community to participate in filling in the data.
How is BPS's readiness to carry out a population census that has only been carried out once in 10 years? What are the challenges of using this online system later? Then, what data will BPS collect through the 2020 population census? Republika journalist Novita Intan had the opportunity to talk with BPS Head Kecuk Suhariyanto in his office last week. The following are the interview excerpts:
The Central Statistics Agency will conduct a population census in 2020. What data will BPS record?
Population census, every country must do it. Based on recommendations from the United Nations (UN), each country must conduct a population census of at least 10 years. There are several countries that do it every five years, like Australia. This depends on the availability of costs, population, and so on.
In Indonesia the population census has been conducted since 1961. So, the 2020 population census is the seventh population census. Referring to Law Number 16 of 1997 concerning Statistics, it is stated that Indonesia must conduct a population census every 10 years, the UN recommendation must be every 10 years.
Then, Presidential Regulation No. 39 of 2019 concerning Single Data is now issued. Then, Presidential Regulation Number 62 Year 2019 concerning Development of Biological Statistics. So, these regulations all form the basis of law, Indonesia conducted a population census of 2020. Indonesia is not alone, this year there are 54 countries conducting population censuses. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) is the executor and person in charge. The population census is a great interest of a country because the UN recommendation says it is like that.
