‘Good responses’ to census so far — researchers

AMMAN — Census takers on Monday said householders provided “good responses” to questions on the survey that involved “general” information. 

According to residents, some questions required “personal” information, with income and financial status highlighted as the “most sensitive” topics on the survey. 

As the national census started on Monday, around 22,000 field researchers and
schoolteachers were making field visits to the homes of Jordanians, residents and visitors to gather vital data from respondents, according to the Department of Statistics (DoS).

Mohammad Atef, a researcher covering Amman’s Abu Nseir neighbourhood, said the survey includes questions such as the number of family members in the household, level of education and degrees attained, income, the number of rooms in the house and the type of heaters used. 

“The families we visited so far have been cooperative and their answers were straight to the point,” he told The Jordan Times.

Ziyad Awad, a resident of Abu Nseir, said the questions were “fine”, with the exception of the last two or three, which were about the income of the family and whether its members face “financial difficulties”.

“I understand why they asked for the number of family members and about the ownership of the house, but inquiring about financial status is not related to the purpose of the census,” he argued.

DoS Jubeiha supervisor Ahmad Ajarmeh told The Jordan Times that each area has around seven field researchers to count its populace.  

Ajarmeh said the survey involved “general” questions about people and their houses and that he expected the public to cooperate.

Irbid resident Ibrahim Shehadeh said researchers did not reach his house yet, but he is willing to answer any questions related to social and economic subjects.

“I don’t find it a problem to answer questions about my financial status, I don’t mind any type of queries,” he told The Jordan Times.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said in previous remarks that the census seeks to identify all people in Jordan, including refugees, diplomats and tourists, even those who are in transit or visiting the country for one night.  

According to DoS, the census will continue until December 10.