2021 Population and Housing Census of Nepal


The goal is to support the Government of Nepal to conduct the 2021 census in line with international standards to obtain high quality data, reflecting Nepal’s social, ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity and which can be used to better respond to the needs of the different population groups. Given its track record and emphasis on federal state building, Switzerland has a key interest that the census is adapted to the federal context and gender equality and social inclusion principles are followed. 

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Nepal
Governance
Other
Public sector policy
Decentralisation
Sector not specified
01.07.2021 - 31.12.2024
CHF  1’160’000
Background

The Government of Nepal is conducting the 12th National Population and Housing Census in June 2021. This will be the first census since Nepal became a federal republic with the adoption of the new Constitution in 2015 and as a result, need and demand from all spheres of government for data is high. The census will provide detailed demographic, social and economic information for all provinces, municipalities and wards, in a disaggregated format. To ensure that the data is of high quality, the census will follow international standards and the process is supported by TA from the United Nations Population Fund.

In addition, given Nepal’s social, ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity as well as the mistrust of marginalised communities in the 2011 census data and complaints regarding its enumeration process, acceptance of and trust in the data gathered during this census will be crucial. As a result, the 2021 census applies Gender Equality and Social Inclusion principles across the entire census process and activities.

Objectives Nepal has detailed and disaggregated high quality census data for all three spheres of government to allow for evidence-based planning and policy making in order to better response to the specific needs of the different population group.
Target groups

The primary target group of the project is the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and its staff under whose leadership the census is conducted. The secondary target group is composed of the relevant federal, provincial and local government agencies as well as civil society organisations involved in the preparation and implementation of the census activities.

Last but not least, the different population groups of Nepal will benefit from the census as the data can be used for evidence-based planning, programming and policy making to better meet their needs. 

Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: The Central Bureau of Statistics conducts a high-quality census in line with international standards.

Outcome 2: Nepali women and men, and in particularly discriminated groups, accept and trust the census data and analytical products of the Central Bureau of Statistics.

Results

Expected results:  

Output 1.1: The Central Bureau of Statistics has the knowledge, skills and tools to plan and manage the census process in line with international standards.

Output 1.2: The Central Bureau of Statistics and provincial and local governments involved in the census are able to collect the necessary data according to the census plan.

Output 2.1: The Central Bureau of Statistics is aware of the sensitivities related to the acceptance of census data and has integrated GESI principles into all census activities and tools.

Output 2.2: The Central Bureau of Statistics conducts orientation workshops and consultations with civil society organisations and marginalized communities to collect their concerns and ensure their participation in the census

Output 2.3: The Central Bureau of Statistics disseminates and analyses the collected data in line with international standards, incl. GESI principles, to ensure acceptance of the analytical products. 


Results from previous phases:   This is a single phase project. 


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • United Nations Population Fund


Coordination with other projects and actors Domain 1: Federal State Building
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    1’160’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’142’942