More Statistics For Lebanon. But Not The Important Ones.

The EU has donated money to the Lebanese Government’s body of statistics. But of course no one is talking about the big statistical elephant in the Lebanese room.

Am I the only one who finds this news item amusing:

The European Union has donated 545,000 euros ($800,000) worth of information-technology equipment and software to Lebanon’s Central Administration of Statistics (CAS), the EU’s office in Lebanon and the Lebanese government announced on Tuesday

Everyone in Lebanon is agreeing that we need more statistics for the country to work more efficiently:

A recently published National Human Development Report on Lebanon entitled “Towards a Citizens’ State,” indicated that Lebanon’s absence of reliable data is a significant and formidable obstacle to the country’s prospects of social and economic development. The EU grant, therefore, provides the troubled CAS with a much-needed boost, providing not only financial resources, but also technical assistance. The grant will include training sessions, workshops and specialist programs to strengthen the administration’s capabilities.

But here’s the catch. The statistics should not in any way be used to measure Lebanese demographics. Lebanon hasn’t had a census since the 60s. We don’t want to know how many Christians, Shias Sunnis and atheists Lebanon has. This remains one of the biggest taboos in a country that built its entire political infrastructure around sectarian foundations.

Yet another Lebanese way of leaving the essential and working around the fringes.

What do you think? Wouldn’t it be a better idea to have a population census? Or do you think Lebanon is not politically ready for such undertakings?