The importance of geographic and demographic data from census for locating and mapping vulnerable populations

The population and housing census undergirds all national development. The collected data in a census provides critical information for governments to identify existing service gaps, such as accessibility, use of hospitals, schools, and roads, and where future investments could have the greatest impact. Beyond that, the census holds a significant social value, as the specific population characteristics in terms of ethnic and cultural self-identification, as well as the population’s geographic distribution and associated economic relationships, contribute to a country’s national identity. As the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of demographic and cartographic data to confront it has been illuminated, as almost all responses to this public health crisis require some input of geographic and demographic data to optimize their effect.