Authorities have begun a countrywide survey of Cambodians, collecting data for an interim census to be used by the government to plan and provide for residents, the Ministry of Planning said yesterday.

Planning Minister Chhay Thon said the government could only afford to conduct an official census once a decade, but that an interim survey was necessary because of constantly changing demographics.

“It is so important to survey residents’ situations for the government, related ministries, and NGOs, which need to officially report on the country’s development. It helps us set goals,” he said.

The last full census was in 2008, and the next is due in 2018.

The interim survey will last from March 3 to 7, with 955 enumerators and 238 supervisors assigned to cover 955 villages in 24 provinces.

The census will collect information on living standards, health and migration, among other issues.