Transcript UNECE-UNFPA Workshop on Censuses Using Registers Geneva, 21 May 2012 Overview of Approaches to Censuses Using Registers Paolo Valente United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Statistical.

UNECE-UNFPA Workshop on Censuses Using Registers
Geneva, 21 May 2012
Overview of Approaches to
Censuses Using Registers
Paolo Valente
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Statistical Division
Content:
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Fully register based census
Data from registers + existing sample surveys
Data from registers + ad-hoc sample surveys
Data from registers + full enumeration
Data from registers + full enum. + ad-hoc survey
Overview of methods adopted in UNECE region
Content:
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«Combined census»
Fully register based census
Data from registers + existing sample surveys
Data from registers + ad-hoc sample surveys
Data from registers + full enumeration
Data from registers + full enum. + ad-hoc survey
Overview of methods adopted in UNECE region
1. Fully register based censuses
• Census conducted by integrating data from various registers
• Conclusion of long step-by-step process
• Census is part of a system of register-based information
Main requirements:
• Availability of population register
and dwelling register
• Capacity to link persons and
dwellings, identifying households
• Public and legislative support for
the use of population registers
1. Fully register based censuses
Advantages:
• No burden on individuals
• Data usually available every year
• Once high quality registers are established, it is cheaper than a full
field enumeration
Limitations:
• Setting up and maintenance require significant resources
• Characteristics to be collected are limited to those on the registers
• Quality of census depends on coverage and quality of registers
• Data in registers usually collected for non-statistical purposes
• Statistical agencies are also dependent on register authorities
2000 round (3 countries): Andorra, Denmark, Finland
2010 round (8): + Austria, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden
2. Data from registers + existing sample surveys
• When some variables are not available in registers, data
from existing sample surveys (i.e. LFS) can be used
• Data linked at individual level
• No field data collection
2. Data from registers + existing sample surveys
Advantages:
• No burden on respondents
• Reduced costs: no specific field data collection
• Consistency between census results and survey results
Disadvantages:
• Process to successfully link information on individuals
from different surveys and registers is complex
• Limited detail for information taken from sample surveys
2000 round: Netherlands (« Virtual census »)
2010 round: Netherlands, Iceland
3. Data from registers + ad-hoc sample surveys
• Alternative: conduct ad-hoc sample surveys instead of using
data from existing surveys
• Ad-hoc sample surveys can be used to collect data on
selected variables and/or evaluate accuracy of registers
• Requires capacity to link individual data from different
sources
3. Data from registers + ad-hoc sample surveys
Advantages:
• Accuracy of population register can be tested
• Population counts could be adjusted
• Limited burden on respondents (sample survey)
• Limited costs (sample survey)
Disadvantages:
• Method could be complex
• Limited detail for information taken from sample surveys
2010 round: Israel, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey
4. Data from registers + full enumeration
• When data for some variables are missing in registers, and detailed
data are required (sample not sufficient)
• Data on most variables are taken from registers, but all units are asked
for data on limited number of variables
• Enumeration may also allow evaluation of coverage and accuracy of
register data
• Some register data can be pre-printed in questionnaires
4. Data from registers + full enumeration
Advantages:
• Data collection can be used to set-up, update or improve registers
in view of future fully register-based census
!!!  Distinction between statistical operation (census) and admin.
operation (register update) should be clear to the respondents
• More efficient than traditional census in field operations thanks to
use of registers data
Disadvantages:
• Very expensive (full field enumeration)
• Burden on the public (full field enumeration)
• Method can be complex to apply
2010 round: 6 countries
5. Data from registers + full enumeration +
ad-hoc sample survey
• Full enumeration for important variables or to update and
improve registers
• Sample surveys for variables which do not require high
information detail
2010 round: Germany, Poland + Italy (long/short form)
Census methods adopted in UNECE Region
in 2000 and 2010 round
Sources on Register based censuses
Fully register-based
censuses also
covered in UNECE
publication on
register-based
statistics:
http://www.unece.org/stats/census/