In 2010, South Ossetia will count its residents

In 2010, for the first time in the last 20 years, South Ossetia will hold a national census. The decision was passed at the sitting of the presidium of the government of South Ossetia, where the respective bill was presented.

Erik Pukhaev, head of the department of state statistics, has noted that "South Ossetia had no census after 1989. Therefore, a real need exists to count the total population of the republic and separate categories thereof, both adults and young people separately."

"This is a state programme, and since we are an independent state, under the law we need to run a census. The main aim of the action, for which purpose the required legislative basis will soon be adopted, is to know the Republic's population in total, and split by age groups," the "Ossetian Radio and Television" quotes Mr Pukhaev as saying.

The statistical department of South Ossetia has noted that they plan to cover "all the districts of South Ossetia, including those ones earlier occupied by Georgia." Preparatory work has already begun.
According to the census of 1989, the population of South Ossetia made 99,000. Now, the estimate is about 72,000, according to the "Interfax".