Amman, Sept. 3 (Petra) — The Department of Statistics (DoS) denied
reports claiming that citizens could be fined for being unable to
answer census questions or for not being home when field researchers
visit.

DoS Director General Haider Freihat told the Jordan News Agency
(Petra) that previous censuses included cases in which researchers
could not obtain data from some households, describing this as a
normal occurrence within the expected statistical margin of error.

Freihat apologized for any misunderstanding arising from earlier
statements, stressing that he had not intended to cause offense.

He said field researchers involved in the 2026 Population and Housing
Census have undergone training, qualification, and readiness
assessments and are instructed to deal flexibly with households while
respecting the privacy and circumstances of citizens and residents.

The researchers assigned to collect census data are teachers
affiliated with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources
Development, he added.

Freihat said census questions are generally clear and straightforward
and that respondents are not pressured to provide information they do
not have. If a visit cannot be completed or some answers are
unavailable, researchers may schedule another visit to complete the
required data.

He added that the department relies on information provided by
citizens and residents and considers public cooperation and accurate
responses essential to the census process.

The DoS urged citizens and residents to cooperate with field
researchers to help complete and update census data used in planning
and public services.

//Petra// AO