The Inter-Censal Demographic Survey (ICDS) is carried out five years after every decennial Population Census as one of a series of surveys undertaken by ZIMSTAT. The first postindependence survey was in 1987, the second in 1997 and the third in 2007. So this will be the fourth such survey to be undertaken by ZIMSTAT as per international standards and recommendations on Population and Housing Censuses.

The 2017 ICDS comes five years since the 2012 Population Census and five years before the 2022 Census. Therefore, this gives an opportunity to reflect back, adjust and trial run the research instruments and methodologies well before the forthcoming Population Census. The ICDS will provide information on fertility, mortality, migration including other socio-economic variables normally collected in a Population Census. The specific objectives of the 2017 ICDS are:

• Update the 2012 census sampling frame
• Update existing data collected from the 2012 Population Census
• Serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2022 Census and introduce new approaches in census undertaking in terms of adoption of new technology and proposed additional indicators.
• Collect data that would be used to monitor national development programmes and the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators.