The Institute of Statistics has responded to the letter of the DP deputy, Ervin Salianji, regarding the Census process and the hacking of INSTAT’s website by the “Homeland Justice” group.
INSTAT has stated that the data of the Census, which was carried out during the year 2023, will be released in the month of June as foreseen in the deadline, adding that there was no delay in their publication.
“There was no delay in the publication of the Census data. We inform you that the publication of the results of the Census 6 months after the completion of the field processes are the closest deadlines for the publication of the Census data according to international standards”, the answer states.
The Institute of Statistics has shown that the total estimated cost for the Population and Housing Census was 16.9 million euros.
“The estimated total cost of the Population and Housing Census was 16.9 million euros (it can also be found in the annual plan sent by INSTAT to the Assembly of Albania). We must emphasize that the activity of the Population and Housing Census 2023 does not end with the closure of the data collection in the field or the post-Census survey”, explains the institution.
While explaining that INSTAT is currently in the phase of codifying classifications and cleaning duplicates until the publication of the main results in June.
“According to the distribution plan, it will continue with: The publication of the final results of the Census at the district/municipal level in October 2024, while in December 2024 INSTAT has planned to send the Census data and metadata to Eurostat. Further, the in-depth study of the Census data will be continued, where the thematic analyzes will also be carried out”, says the reply to MP Salianji.
INSTAT’s responses to Ervin Salianji’s letter:
When will the 2023 Census data be published?
The main results of the 2023 Census will be published in June 2024, as foreseen in the Census publication plan, as well as presented in the 2024 Annual Plan of INSTAT in the Assembly. Chronological information on the publication of the 2023 Census results can be found on the INSTAT official website.
What was the expected deadline for the publication of these data?
As we explained above, the deadline for the publication of data was June 2024 for the main results, and the following for other data at a detailed level.
What are the reasons for the delay in publishing these data?
There has been no delay in the release of the Census data. We inform you that the publication of the Census results 6 months after the end of the field processes (data collection, and the post-Census survey) are the closest deadlines for the publication of the Census data according to international standards (Regulation (EC) No.763/2008 on Population and Housing Censuses).
Has there been any intervention by any central or local government institution regarding the publication of these data?
INSTAT is an independent institution which is subordinate to the Assembly of Albania, according to law NO. 17/2018 FOR OFFICIAL STATISTICS. It is guided by the principles of professionalism, transparency and reliability of official statistics, which are expressed in the law on statistics. Based on these principles, INSTAT is monitored every year by international institutions, especially those of the EU, where their positions are expressed in various reports. As you should be aware, in the progress report of the EC there is not a single line that questions the independence or professionalism of INSTAT.
Does the delay in the publication of these data risk unauthorized interventions with the aim of manipulating or distorting them?
As we clarified above, there are no delays in the publication of the data. They are according to the plan foreseen and published a long time ago on the official website of INSTAT, so there is no place for any such doubts.
What are the concrete security measures taken by your institution in order to guarantee the authenticity and accuracy of the data?
In accordance with the legislation in force for official statistics, the protection of personal data and the institution’s policy regarding information security, data is protected through technical encryption processes; control and restriction of access, based on the principle of minimum access necessary to perform work functions; authentication mechanisms that ensure access only by authorized users; activity monitoring during data collection or processing.
What was the total cost for the realization of the Census and did the delay in publishing the data create additional costs?
The estimated total cost of the Population and Housing Census was 16.9 million euros (it can also be found in the annual plan sent by INSTAT to the Assembly of Albania). We must emphasize that the activity of the Population and Housing Census 2023 does not end with the closure of the field data collection or the post-Census survey. Currently, INSTAT is in the phase of codifying classifications and cleaning duplicates until the publication of the main results in June 2024.
Further, according to the distribution plan, it will continue with: The publication of the final results of the Census at the district/municipal level in October 2024, while in December 2024 INSTAT has planned to send the Census data and metadata to Eurostat. Further, the in-depth study of the Census data will be continued, where thematic analyzes will also be carried out.
