Non-statistical use of census enumeration

1. Expert Group Meeting to Review Critical Issues Relevant to the Planning of the 2010 Round of Population and Housing Censuses 15-17 September 2004 New York Non-statistical use of census enumeration By Demographic Statistics Section Demographic and Social Statistics Branch United Nations Statistics Division

2. Non-statistical use of census enumeration • Census enumeration is arguably the most critical part of all census related operations if conducted the traditional way • It is complex, costly, all-encompassing, nation-wide, simultaneous • As such, should the census enumeration be used for non-statistical purposes?

3. Non-statistical use of census enumeration Three concepts Interviewer or canvasser Self-enumeration Registration based

4. Non-statistical use of census enumeration • Three major concerns • Maintaining the integrity of the census • Protecting privacy • Protecting confidentiality

5. Non-statistical use of census enumeration • Privacy • Protecting own “personal space” • Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: ”No one shall be subject to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence … Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference …”

6. Non-statistical use of census enumeration • Privacy is crucial to the successful census enumeration • A violation or perceived violation of privacy compromises respondent’s cooperation

7. Non-statistical use of census enumeration • Confidentiality • A key issue in contemporary statistical data collection exercises, especially censuses • Ensuring confidentiality enables more efficient census enumeration

8. Non-statistical use of census enumeration • Procedures for protecting privacy and confidentiality in census enumeration • Enumerator’s identifiers • Criminal prosecution • Special envelopes

9. Non-statistical use of census enumeration • Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, in particular Principles 6: • Individual data collected by statistical agencies for statistical compilation, whether they refer to natural or legal persons, are to be strictly confidential and used exclusively for statistical purposes

10. Non-statistical use of census enumeration • Combining the census with any non-statistical information may compromise the integrity of the census • Yet, in some countries there were initiatives to combine the census enumeration with administrative operations under the justification of similarity of approaches and efficient use of resources

11. Non-statistical use of census enumeration • Two main areas: • Registration of voters • Establishing population registers

12. Non-statistical use of census enumeration • There is a need to review country practices and initiatives in non-statistical use of census enumeration and to prepare a set of principles and recommendations to guide national statistical services for the 2010 Round of Censuses.