As part of the national census, the Central Department of Statistics and Information's (CDSI) branch in the Eastern Province, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense and Aviation, has allocated an airplane to survey the locations of nomads and workers located in the Ruba' Al-Khali (Empty Quarter) Desert. Director of the CDSI branch Abdulrahman Al-Thumairi said the census in the desert started Sunday and will continue for six days. The department is preparing two teams equipped with three cars and guides for the data collectors to reach the locations which will be surveyed from the air. Al-Thumairi appealed to citizens and residents to cooperate to make the national project a success. Everyone should answer all the questions and provide accurate information because collecting such demographic, social and economic data will help fulfill the country's development plans. This project forms part of the 4th National Census for Population and Housing that is expected to start on April 28. In preparation for the start, the Ministry of Planning's Central Department of Statistics and Information has launched a massive field operation to number residential buildings and commercial establishments into blocks and districts. All residents and citizens are expected to fill up a 59-point questionnaire. Saudi Arabia is conducting the 4th National Census for Population and Housing together with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The entire census operation in the Kingdom will be completed in a two-week period ending on May 12. Saudi Arabia conducted its first official census in 1974 when the Kingdom's population was 7,009,466 people of whom 6,218,361 were Saudis. The second census in 1992 showed that the total population stood at 16,948,388 including 12,310,053 Saudis while the third census organized in 2004 showed that the total population had reached 22,678,262 people, with 16,527,340 Saudis.
