The United Nations Demographic Yearbook Data Collection Process

1. Expert Group Meeting to Review the United Nations Demographic Yearbook System 10-14 November 2003 New York The United Nations Demographic Yearbook Data Collection Process Demographic and Social Statistics Branch United Nations Statistics Division

2. Issues Covered • What is collected? • How it is collected? • Review of the DYB data collection process and findings • Points for discussion

3. Anticipated Result • What other collaborative arrangements can be identified – with other organizations, regions? • How frequently should meta data be collected from countries? • How relevant and adequate is the information being collected to meeting user needs? • How easily available is the information being requested in countries? • What other changes are needed to improve the data collection process?

4. How are the data for the Demographic Yearbook obtained?

5. How Data Are Obtained • Directly from countries using questionnaires • Joint collection with other agencies • From another organisation • From national publications and other sources

6. Directly From Countries Using Questionnaires • Six questionnaires are sent to national statistical offices • Annual questionnaires (Population estimates, vital statistics, international migration and travel statistics) • Census questionnaires (General characteristics, economic characteristics, household characteristics)

7. Joint Collection With Other Agencies • Arrangement between UNSD, Eurostat and Council of Europe • In 1999 joint questionnaire was introduced to replace 4 questionnaires used by the three organisations • Each agency is responsible for processing and dissemination of data for their specific purposes

8. Obtained From Another Organisation UNSD obtains causes of death data in electronic format from WHO

9. From National Publication and Other Sources • Publications • Official websites of national statistical offices • Through technical assistance activities

10. Follow-up Mechanisms and Dead-lines • Questionnaires dispatched in October/November • Dead-line set for March with reminder letter sent in February • Joint questionnaire sent in July with deadline set for September

11. What type of data are collected by the Demographic Yearbook system?

12. Format and Content of Questionnaires • Three-part format of questionnaires • General instructions • Statistical tables • Meta data • Variable table structure and complexity (single variable to multi-variable) • Voluminous but comprehensive set of data (around 75 tables on about 100 main topics)

13. Meta Data • To ascertain quality of data and methods used • Definitions • Sources of data • Coverage • Quality • Methods of estimation • Completeness

14. The review of the Demographic Yearbook data collection system

15. Reviews of the Data Collection System • Reasons for reviews • Consistency with international guidelines • Relevance and adequacy of what is collected • Content of tabulations with regard to: • Table structure • Classifications used • Variables included in tables • Concepts and definitions used

16. Main Findings of the Reviews • Lack of consistency between tables in questionnaires and in international recommendations • Differences in concepts • Differences in classifications • International classification • Classification of variables • Population coverage • Lack of internal consistency

17. How can the Demographic Yearbook data collection system be improved?

18. Points for Discussion • What other collaborative arrangements can be identified – with other organizations, regions? • How frequently should meta data be collected from countries? • How relevant and adequate is the information being collected to meeting user needs? • How easily available is the information being requested in countries? • What other changes are needed to improve the data collection process?