The Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD) has received the Strategic Impact Initiative Award under the Collaborative Initiatives Awards category as part of the Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in Government Performance, in recognition of the Abu Dhabi Register-Based Census. This project represents an advanced model of institutional integration and the effective use of data to enhance government performance.

Abu Dhabi Census project is based on the integration of more than 38 million administrative records in collaboration with more than 36 entities, contributing to the development of a unified data system that enables the production of accurate and near real-time population indicators, supporting public policy formulation and enhancing planning efficiency at the emirate level.

His Excellency Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement, said: “This achievement reflects Abu Dhabi’s transition toward an AI-native government, and more importantly, the emergence of an AI-native statistical ecosystem.  This is not about adding AI to existing processes, but redesigning how government and data systems operate from the ground up.”

“Through deep integration, trusted data, and national capabilities, Abu Dhabi is building a system where intelligence is embedded by default, not applied as an afterthought. This is how we move from informed decisions to anticipatory government, where data not only explains the present, but actively shapes the future.”

His Excellency Abdulla Gharib Alqemzi, Director General of Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi, said: “This is a project of national significance. It fundamentally changes how population data is produced, moving from periodic estimation to continuous, near real-time intelligence. It could not have been delivered by SCAD alone. It required coordinated execution across more than 36 entities, unified under a shared model of data integration and trust.”

“What has been built is not just a census, but a living system that will continue to inform decisions, strengthen policy, and ultimately improve the lives of people across Abu Dhabi. This project also establishes an advanced operational model for population statistics, enabling government entities to continuously monitor population dynamics and improve planning across housing, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social programmes.”

The Register-Based Census is underpinned by two advanced analytical models. The Residency Index determines population residency status through integrated administrative data, while the Signs of Life model measures population presence based on interactions with government services. Together, these models provide a comprehensive and up-to-date view of population dynamics.

As a result, this approach reduces reliance on traditional census operations, improving efficiency, reducing operational costs, and enhancing the timeliness of statistical outputs, while maintaining high standards of data quality and reliability.

The Abu Dhabi Census methodology has been presented in international discussions supporting the UN Recommendations for the 2030 Round of Population and Housing Censuses, where it has received broad recognition as an advanced model for the adoption of register-based census approaches, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s leadership in developing integrated statistical systems.

Building on the Abu Dhabi Census, SCAD is enhancing its statistical products by transforming integrated population data into actionable insights that support policy design, implementation, and evaluation across government entities.

This achievement also lays the foundation for future development of advanced observatories and real-time decision-making systems, where continuously updated population data supports policy design, monitoring, and evaluation. Through this work, SCAD continues to advance a national statistical system that is integrated, responsive, and built to support decision-making in a rapidly evolving environment.