How GIS transformed Albania’s national census

In 2023, the Albanian National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) conducted the 2023 National Census, one of the most ambitious in the country’s recent history thanks to modern GIS technologies. This was not just a technological upgrade; it changed the way data is collected, monitored, and shared across the country, setting new standards for transparency and efficiency.

Traditional census methods, based largely on paper forms and manual counting, were no longer able to meet current requirements for accuracy, speed, and real-time analysis. INSTAT needed a system that would allow it to:

• ensure that every home and every building was counted
• monitor activities in the field as they took place
• share the results in formats that were intuitive and easy for everyone to use.

To meet these requirements, INSTAT collaborated with technology partners, including gisAction, brand of TeamDev, and leveraged Esri‘s ArcGIS platform to completely rethink the census workflow.

The project began with the digital mapping of the entire Albanian territory, buildings, roads, census tracts, and population units. This formed the basis for the creation of a comprehensive geospatial database, transforming physical addresses into meaningful points of information on a map.

Subsequently, the team developed tools that made the census visible in real time:

• Mobile app for field technicians to record home visits and interviews
• Dashboard to view daily progress, coverage, and data quality
• WebGIS and public platforms that allow users to explore census data interactively.

This approach eliminated delays and uncertainty. Managers could immediately see where work had been completed, where critical issues were emerging, and how teams were operating, all on a map updated in real time.

GIS was not just a back-office tool; it became a real bridge between statistical data and the public. Through platforms such as Geodata Hub and intuitive web maps, census results became easy to explore, compare, and download.

This broke down traditional barriers to the dissemination of statistics and made census data accessible to citizens, researchers, and public decision-makers.

What were once static reports have become dynamic, visual information. Users can now interact with the data, zoom in on neighborhoods, and quickly understand demographic trends without having to use specialized GIS software.

Concrete Benefits 

The outcomes of this GIS-powered approach were clear and measurable: 

• Faster field operations with real-time visibility 
• Higher data accuracy through geolocation and automated checks 
• Greater transparency and access for the public 
• Lower operational costs thanks to digital workflows 

INSTAT’s team described the transformation simply: “GIS tools made work faster, clearer, and more reliable for everyone involved”.  

Today, Albania’s census process stands as an example of how spatial technologies can enhance national statistics. This success isn’t just about software, it’s about empowering public institutions to work smarter, make better decisions, and share results in ways that are understandable and useful to all. 

The Albanian National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) is the independent public body responsible for collecting, processing, and publishing official data on the country’s population, economy, and society, including surveys on labor, businesses, prices, mobility, and other key indicators for public policy. It operates within the national statistical system and coordinates official statistical activities, including large censuses such as those of population and housing, providing information that guides decisions and strategies at the governmental, economic, and social levels.