NSO begins field preparations for National Economic Census 2082

KATHMANDU: National Statistics Office (NSO) has begun preparations for field data collection for the National Economic Census 2082. The nationwide exercise intends to produce a comprehensive statistical picture of Nepal’s economy.

According to NSO, the second National Economic Census will run across the country from March 15 to July 16, 2026, with district economic census offices set up in 84 locations covering 77 districts. Field enumeration at establishments and business sites is scheduled from April 15 to June 21, 2026, during which 4,433 trained enumerators and supervisors will be deployed.

Officials said the census, conducted under the slogan “Economic Census for Measuring the Economy,” will collect information on the number, geographical distribution, employment, production and service flows of industries, trade and service sectors, private businesses, cooperatives and public institutions. The data are expected to strengthen GDP estimates, support a change in the base year for national accounts, inform government policy and planning, and provide inputs for investment promotion and job creation.

For measurement purposes, economic activities have been divided into 21 sections according to international industrial classification, and basic details will be collected from 18 of those classifications. The census will cover registered and unregistered enterprises, large and small establishments, non-governmental organisations, schools, hospitals and other institutions engaged in economic activity. Excluded are international diplomatic missions, public administration and regulatory government offices, security agencies and general household activities.

The NSO has launched a wide coordination and publicity campaign to support the census. A public appeal video message from the Finance Minister is being broadcast, coordination committees have been formed at central, provincial, district and local levels, and correspondence has been sent to all local bodies and ward offices requesting support and facilitation. The office has signed a cooperation agreement with the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and said agreements with other industry and business bodies are in the final stages. Interactions with more than twenty commodity associations have been completed, and regular audio and video messages are being aired on Radio Nepal and Nepal Television.

Technical preparations include the launch of an e-census platform and a public webpage with administrative and technical materials. A GIS portal will be used to identify census areas, a technology-based daily reporting system and a central control room with a dashboard will monitor progress, and an online system has been set up for inspection and monitoring. A toll-free number, 1178, and a help desk have been established to record advice, suggestions and grievances.

The NSO emphasised that all information collected will be kept confidential under the Statistics Act, 2079, and used only for aggregate statistical purposes. The office assured respondents that no personally identifying details will be published or shared with other agencies.

On the commencement of fieldwork, the NSO appealed for public cooperation. The statement issued by NSO has urged entrepreneurs, industrialists, service providers, organisations and all concerned stakeholders to provide true, factual and complete information and to extend support and facilitation for the successful implementation of the census.

Data processing and analysis will begin in the fiscal year 2026/27, and results from the census will be published progressively.

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