What is the Economic Census (Non-Agricultural Activities) 2025/26?

The Economic Census (Non-Agricultural Activities) 2025/26 is a nationwide statistical operation conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) under the Census Ordinance of 1956. This is the second comprehensive economic census in the country’s history, following the first conducted in 2013/14.

This census focuses on the entire universe of non-agricultural economic activities, both formal and informal, aiming to provide an updated, complete picture of the structural and spatial distribution of economic activities in the country. It is a foundational effort for evidence-based economic planning, investment promotion, and policy formulation in a rapidly transforming national economy. Main objectives of the Census can be listed as follows,

• Enumerate all non-agricultural economic units operating within the country’s economic territory.
• Update and institutionalize the Statistical Business Register (SBR).
• Identify formal vs. informal, micro, small, medium, and large-scale economic units.
• Develop sampling frames for sectoral and economic surveys.
• Generate disaggregated indicators on sectoral composition, employment, ownership, and location.
• Integrate data with administrative and public service records.

The data collection process has been completely modernized. The Economic Census is being conducted on a fully paperless basis, with data being collected through secure internet portals and tablet computers, ensuring a safe, efficient, and technologically advanced approach.

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