Making Informed Decisions for Census Topics and Tabulations

1. Determining Topics and Tabulations Session 5 United Nations Statistics Division Demographic Statistics Section

2. Outline of Presentation • Outline • Resolution on 2010 census round • Objectives of census • Deciding on census content – issues to consider • Deciding on individual census topics – issues to consider • Determining tabulations to produce • National needs vs international comparability • Uses of the data tabulated by different census topics

3. Introduction • In 2005 the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) adopted the resolution on the 2010 World Population and Housing Census Programme • Resolution recognizesimportance of the population and housing census to preparation of a core set of national data and information for socio-economic planning and governance • Resolution urges Member States to: • Carry out a population and housing census • Disseminate census results • Provide census results to national stakeholders, UN and other appropriate intergovernmental organizations

4. Introduction (contd.) • Objectives of a census are specific to individual countries and depend on demand for statistics in the country and on the content and structure of the national statistical system • The prime role of a census is usually to provide an accurate count of the total population for each of the administrative regions of a country • Population and housing censuses provide statistical information on the demographic, social and economic characteristics of the population and for small geographical areas and sub-populations • The key strength of a census is the ability to provide data for small geographic areas and for small population groups

5. Introduction (contd.) Issues to consider • The census should be considered as part of the larger National Statistical Programme • When data are not required at the small geographical level and/or for small geographical populations, other statistical methodologies more cost-effective than censuses should be adopted

6. On Topics and Tabulations • Census topics represent the subjects regarding which information is to be sought for each individual, household, living quarters, and buildings • Tabulations present aggregated statistical information on social, demographic and economic phenomena needed as a basis for programmes of economic and social development and for research purposes

7. Deciding on Census Content • Overall content of the census should be decided upon balanced consideration of: • National data needs at national and local levels • Availability of data from other statistical sources • National Statistical Programme of which census is a part • Needed level of detail of data in terms of small geographical/population group • Constraints of a census for data collection (only limited number of questions can be asked while sensitive and complex questions are more suitable for surveys)

8. Deciding on Census Content (contd.) • Overall content of the census should be decided upon balanced consideration of:(contd.) • Requirement to support legislation and government programs and policies • Ensuring historical comparison • Burden on respondents • Total national resources available to conduct the census • Regional and international comparability

9. Determination of Census Topics • Broadly speaking, selection of census topics is based on outputs expected to be produced by the census • Adequate user consultation is, therefore, critical • Each topic should meet some key user requirement criteria: • Topic carries strong and clearly defined user need • Topic is suitable for inclusion in census and there are no other means than census to collect data on topic • Data on topic required for small population groups and/or at detailed geographical levels • Topic doesn’t differ drastically from previous censuses or can provide comparison with previous censuses

10. Determination of Census Topics (contd.) • User requirement for data by itself not enough • Topic should not be included if: • It’s sensitive or potentially intrusive, or requires lengthy explanation to ensure an accurate answer • It imposes an excessive burden on respondents or seeks information not readily known or that respondents are unlikely to remember accurately • It inquires about opinions and attitudes • It presents major coding problems or extensive processing • It results in data that deliberately promote political or sectarian groups, or sponsor particular causes

11. Determination of Census Topics (contd.) • Historical continuation vs change in topics • Historical continuity offers opportunity for comparison of changes over time in socio-economic phenomena • However, avoid collecting information that is no longer required • Take into account emerging national social and economic issues • Take into account alternative data sources • Necessary, therefore, (in consultation with users) to review periodically topics traditionally investigated • Inclusion of new topics requires extensive testing to ensure successful collection and production of reliable results

12. Determination of Tabulations to Produce • Efforts should be made to publish principal results of the census as soon as possible after enumeration • Census is not complete until information collected has been made available to users in a form, and to a timetable, suited to their needs (tabulations are one of many products of a census) • Advancements in modern technology have made production of tabulation much easier and at a relatively small fraction of overall census cost than before • Although many data users prefer to obtain census products in electronic media, others still prefer print media in the form of tabulations

13. National needs vs International Comparability • National and international objectives are usually compatible • International guidelines enable countries to compare their results with those of other countries • UN guidelines are based on broad studies of country experience and practice that have successfully met general national needs in a wide range of circumstances • UN recommended tabulations are basic and only a guide • National tabulation programme should be developed taking into account national data needs and resource available

14. Determination of Tabulations – General Considerations • Careful consideration of variables for inclusion • Content of table responds to the needs of the data users • Consultation with users • Plans for tabulations should be prepared at same time as content of questionnaire • Linking questions to use for the data

15. Data Collected on • Geographical and internal migration characteristics • International migration characteristics • Household and family characteristics • Demographic and social characteristics • Fertility and mortality • Educational characteristics • Economic characteristics • Disability characteristics • Housing characteristics

16. Uses of Tabulations of the Data by Topic • What follows are examples of uses of the data tabulated by different census topics

17. Geographical and Internal Migration Characteristics • Data showing minor and major geographical and administrative divisions necessary for: • Determining apportionment of legislative representation • Administrative purposes • Planning the location of economic and social facilities • Data on internal migration are needed for: • Preparation of population estimates (together with data on fertility and mortality) for planning purposes • Determining policies on migration • Assessing effectiveness of migration policies

18. International Migration • Data useful for assessment of: • Movement of persons across national boundaries • Impact of migration • Adaptation

19. Demographic and Social Characteristics • Age and sex • Age/sex population distribution/structure of population • Gender analyses • Marital status • Age at first marriage • Proportions never married, married, divorced, widowed

20. Demographic and Social Characteristics • Religion • Language • Ethnicity • Indigenous peoples • Religion, language, ethnicity and indigenous peoples important for analyses of cultural diversity in the country

21. Household Characteristics • Distribution of individuals within households used to determine the living arrangements of families and patterns of family structure • Data on number, size and structure of households useful for planning and for development of policies (children, elderly, disabled persons) • Relationship between household members useful for: • Determining family structure • Composition of households (relatives, non-relatives)

22. Fertility and Mortality • Data used for estimates of: • Current fertility (total fertility rate, age-specific fertility rates) • Life time fertility (children ever-born alive) • Infant and childhood mortality • Levels and patterns of adult mortality • Maternal orphanhood

23. Educational Characteristics • Data used to monitor: • Quality of life • Access to education • National capacity for economic and social development • Educational opportunities by gender, age cohorts, rural/urban residence

24. Economic Characteristics • Provides data on: • Employment, unemployment, underemployment • Composition and distribution of economically active population – occupation, industry, functional status,etc. • Agricultural/non-agricultural activities • Participation in the informal sector • Issues of support and dependence

25. Disability Characteristics • Data as a basis for: • Monitoring the social, economic and living conditions of persons with disabilities • Development and evaluating effectiveness of policies aimed at needs of persons with disabilities

26. Housing Characteristics • Housing stock • Quality of housing • Land use • Housing needs • Living conditions

27. Thank you