The Indian government is set to resume the census process in 2025, marking a four-year delay. The exercise is expected to conclude within a year, followed by delimitation of Lok Sabha seats by 2028. This delay impacts electoral representation and demographic data collection, raising concerns about potential consequences for policy decisions.
The Indian government is considering adding a caste column to the upcoming census, a move that has sparked debate and political maneuvering. Opposition parties and even some BJP allies are demanding the inclusion, arguing it will provide valuable data for social justice initiatives. However, the government remains undecided, and the last census in 2011 was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Myanmar’s military government has announced plans to conduct a national census next month, citing the need to compile voter lists for a future general election and analyze population data. This announcement comes amidst a raging civil war, with the military facing resistance from both pro-democracy fighters and ethnic militias. Critics have expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of any elections organized by the military, citing concerns about the lack of freedom of media and the imprisonment of political opponents, including Aung San Suu Kyi. The census, which is scheduled to take place from October 1st to 15th, has raised concerns about the security of citizens and the potential use of data by the military for surveillance and control.
Myanmar’s military government is conducting a nationwide census in October, aiming to use the data for a planned election in 2024. This election is widely criticized as a sham and is unlikely to be recognized by the international community. The census comes amid ongoing civil war and widespread opposition to the junta’s rule.
Iraq will impose a two-day curfew in November for its first census in 27 years. The census, postponed several times due to conflict and tensions, is crucial for accurate demographic information and effective policymaking. The government has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for this initiative.
A report released by the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PM-EAC) has sparked controversy, claiming that religious minorities in India are safe and face no discrimination. However, critics argue that the report’s findings are based on outdated data and overlook key demographic trends. The issue of Muslim population growth has become a focal point, with some raising concerns about the ‘population jihad’ and the potential threat to the Hindu majority. However, demographers dismiss these fears, citing declining fertility rates and educational improvements among Muslims. The report’s use of population growth as an indicator of well-being is also questioned, as higher fertility rates are often associated with illiteracy and economic backwardness. Experts emphasize that the status of religious minorities should be assessed based on their access to education, social welfare, and representation in power structures. While India boasts a large Muslim population, their fertility rates are declining and are projected to stabilize in the future. Therefore, fears of Hindus becoming a minority are unfounded.
The House of Representatives approved a bill that would add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, with Republicans arguing that it’s necessary to ensure accurate representation in Congress. Democrats opposed the bill, claiming it would suppress participation and lead to inaccurate data. Adding a citizenship question to the census has been a controversial issue in the past, with the Supreme Court blocking former President Trump’s attempts to include it in the 2020 census. The current bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where it is likely to face opposition from Democrats.
The recent creation of a government-defined Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) racial category is a misguided and potentially harmful move. This new designation will be incorporated into various surveys and forms, including those used by private organizations. However, the reasons for this change are flawed, and the consequences for MENA Americans could be detrimental.
Advocates for this category argue that it will provide political influence and access to affirmative action benefits. However, this is a flawed assumption as MENA Americans generally have higher socioeconomic status than white Americans, making them ineligible for such benefits.
Moreover, the creation of this category ignores the diverse ethnicities, religions, and languages within the MENA region. By lumping these diverse populations into a single racial group, the government is oversimplifying and potentially creating a false sense of unity.
Additionally, this move could lead to discrimination against MENA Americans in university admissions and other areas where affirmative action policies are implemented. MENA activists have underestimated the success of their own community and have inadvertently created a situation where MENA Americans could face obstacles due to this new racial category.
The government should focus on collecting data on ancestry rather than creating new racial categories. Ancestry data can provide valuable information without the potential for discrimination and misrepresentation.
Ultimately, the creation of a MENA racial category is a mistake. It perpetuates stereotypes, undermines the diversity of MENA communities, and could have negative consequences for MENA Americans.
The decennial census in the United States influences the allocation of House representatives and electoral votes. Some have speculated that excluding undocumented immigrants from the count could impact election outcomes. However, an analysis of population data and electoral results reveals that while it could affect individual state representation, it would not have a significant impact on the overall balance of power or the outcome of the most recent presidential election.
A village in Wales has emerged as an unlikely hotspot for English identity, with more residents identifying as exclusively English than in any other part of the country. According to new Census data, 38.9% of people living in Broughton & Saltney, Flintshire identify solely as English, the highest proportion in the UK. This is in stark contrast to England, where only 14% of people identify as English-only. The findings highlight the complex and diverse nature of national identity in the UK, with many people identifying with multiple cultural and national affiliations.
