Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Tuesday, 26 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 December 2002. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 December 2002 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when the last census of the Afghan population was; and what discussions are taking place on the question of a new one.

Answer: Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the last census of the Afghan population was; and what discussions are taking place on the question of a new one. [84202] Mr. Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply. The most recent estimate of the Afghan population by the World bank in 2001 was 26.6 million with a further 2.2 million refugees in Pakistan and 1.5 million in Iran. There has not been a census in Afghanistan since 1963. The UN began work on one in October but it is likely to take five years to complete.

Secondary information