Morocco’s Census Under Fire: Are Simple Questions Worth a Billion-Dollar Budget?
Morocco’s latest census, conducted by the High Commission for Planning (HCP), has sparked a heated debate. Academics, journalists, and everyday citizens are questioning the efficacy of the census, particularly the simplicity of the questions being asked, especially considering the substantial financial investment involved.
Critics argue that the overly simplistic questions fail to capture the complex social and economic realities of modern Morocco. They question the value of spending billions on a census that, in their view, won’t provide the nuanced data needed for effective policy-making.
Sociologist Hamid Bekkari expressed his disappointment, stating, “I was expecting more in-depth questions that would shed light on the evolution of Moroccan families, such as the number of employed and unemployed members. Instead, the questions were basic and limited.” He added, “A significant amount of money has been spent without a clear vision, and the result is disappointing.”
Adding to the chorus of criticism, activist Ishraq Benalla stated, “Questions about marriage or death years don’t provide valuable information. They are trivial and don’t reflect the social reality of Moroccan families.”
Journalist Saida Sharif shared her experience, saying, “I was asked simple personal questions, like my age and marital status. At the end of the survey, I felt disappointed. Is this the census we’re talking about? It’s a superficial questionnaire that doesn’t provide a clear picture.” She added, “I don’t believe this approach will contribute to improving public policies or developing effective development plans.”
University professor Driss Abiza echoed these concerns, stating, “The questionnaire didn’t address important social and economic issues. I wasn’t asked about the number of people in my household or their professional status, which is essential information for understanding reality.”
Some sources have attributed the short questionnaires to technical issues with the census app, leading to a smaller sample size. However, an official source from the HCP refuted these claims, emphasizing the existence of two questionnaires: one focusing on rare phenomena and another serving as a foundation for future research. The source explained that the chosen sample represents 20% of the population, deemed sufficient to create an accurate picture of Moroccan society.
This controversy underscores a critical question: can a census relying on simplified questions truly provide the granular data needed to inform effective policy decisions and drive meaningful progress in Morocco? As the debate continues, the HCP faces the challenge of demonstrating the value and impact of its approach to data collection and analysis.
