Maseru, Lesotho – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has handed over tablets and equipment to Lesotho’s Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to prepare for the 2026 population and housing census. The handover took place on 11 September 2025.
Finance and Planning Minister Dr Rets’elisitsoe Matlanyane said the tablets will support the census preparation, which will employ about 8,000 temporary staff, mostly young people. The census is scheduled for April 2026.
Dr Matlanyane said the exercise will provide data on unemployment, demographics, and living conditions, helping the government plan policies and allocate resources more effectively. She added that the information will also support health services by identifying disease trends and inform national development decisions across education, housing, and infrastructure. 
UNFPA Representative to Lesotho, Mr John Kennedy Mosoti, called for everyone to participate in the census to ensure the data reflects the country’s true situation.
