The census taking place this year in Serbia is part of an EU-wide exercise conducted all over Europe, including in the countries of the Western Balkans.
It is an important exercise for all Serbian citizens which will provide key statistical indicators which will help in articulating effective economic, social and regional policies and thereby assist in improving living conditions for everyone. The census is also an instrument required to better define and target the needs for national and international assistance, notably in the less developed areas of Serbia.
The census will be conducted in Serbia from the 1st of October. The EU is pleased to be contributing with almost € 20 million, representing 49% of the overall costs.
We, the EU Heads of Mission, invite and urge all citizens to participate actively in the census. Particular attention is being devoted to minorities and special provisions have been foreseen including translations of the questionnaire in several minority languages and the recruitment of enumerators from different minority groups.
We also underline the key role which municipalities and census commissions play in facilitating this exercise. The EU will be monitoring carefully the collection and processing of data with the Serbian Statistical Office and EUROSTAT.
