Statistics Botswana fails to deliver census results

The organisation now says it may disseminate the results in the last quarter of this year. Statistics Botswana released preliminary results from the August 2011 census in three months (November 2011) and availed a report on Population of Towns and Associated Localities in June 2012, with an assurance that a report with more detailed information would be disseminated last September.  The detailed report from the census was expected to give exhaustive data on statistics such as the rate of unemployment in the country, the average age of the populace, the number of residents versus expatriates and other information used in policy formation.

However, Statistics Botswana is attempting to dismiss the earlier deadline, saying the dissemination of the results is a continuous process. "Detailed sets of results will continue to be released when such are ready," Themba Sibanda, Statistics Botswana senior corporate communication officer, wrote in response to a Mmegi questionnaire.He said the organisation plans to complete the "re-validation of data" by end of this month.