5 Marzo 2007

Session 1:

2010/2011 Round of Censuses – Innovations and Lessons Learned

chaired by A. Mancini, Italy - Istat

Conference of European Statisticians Paris, 6 June 2012

UNECE and CIS-STAT. Two valuable PhotographsUNECE and CIS-STAT. Two valuable Photographs

As reported in the UNECE paper, in this region the 2010 round of population and housing censuses was a success from the point of view of the participation of countries.

The CIS-STAT paper focused on the evolution of censuses in the member-countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Countries by census method in 2000 and 2010 rounds Countries by census method in 2000 and 2010 rounds (UNECE countries)(UNECE countries)

Countries by census method in 2000 and 2010 rounds Countries by census method in 2000 and 2010 rounds (UNECE countries)(UNECE countries)

Census method 2010 census round

Census method2000round

Tradi-tional

Com-bined

Register-based

Other TOTAL

Traditional 29 8 1 2 40Combined - 4 2 - 6Register-based

- - 4 - 4

No census 2 2 1 - 5TOTAL 31 14 8 2 55

Countries by census method in 2000 and 2010 rounds Countries by census method in 2000 and 2010 rounds (UNECE countries)(UNECE countries)

Census method 2010 census round

Census method2000round

Tradi-tional

Com-bined

Register-based

Other TOTAL

Traditional 29 8 1 2 40Combined - 4 2 - 6Register-based

- - 4 - 4

No census 2 2 1 - 5TOTAL 31 14 8 2 55

Czech RepublicEstoniaIsraelItalyLiechtensteinLithuaniaPolandTurkey

AustriaFranceUSA

BelgiumSlovenia

UNECE – the geographical map of census methodsUNECE – the geographical map of census methods

Traditional censusTraditional census

The percentage of countries conducting the census in the traditional way in the UNECE region decreased from 80% in the 2000 round to 56% in the 2010 round.

In most of these countries a strong increasing use of methodology and technology in data collection and processing (Internet, paperless technology, GIS) was made.

Pressure for a greater use of administrative sourcesPressure for a greater use of administrative sources

In many countries which moved from traditional census:

the need of frequently updated and georeferenced data

+Operational complexity of census

=

Pressure for a greater use of administrative sources

Register based census

Combined census

Quality of administrative sourcesQuality of administrative sources

Administrative sources could be affected by errors, not updated, obtained by non harmonized classifications and definitions.

The quality of administrative sources depends on country, as their usability to census purposes.

A decade of big changes (1)A decade of big changes (1)

Austria: Register based census + quality control Canada: mail out using the address register. Long form

on a sample of 4,5 millions dwellings on voluntary basis Italy: mail out using LAC (municipal registers),

multichannel response, field correction of coverage errors short-long forms in big municipalities

The papers presented in session 1 well describe the major changes in census methodology of the last decade

A decade of big changes (2)A decade of big changes (2)

In Brazil computer assisted personal interviews were carried out using handheld computers equipped with a Global Positioning System receiver.

The census of Mexico was characterized by major changes: a short-long form approach, an higher quality in data collection, and a greater geographical coverage.

In Bulgaria data were collected pushing on two wave approach to maximize the on-line collection.

A decade of big changes (3)A decade of big changes (3)

In Albania an innovative approach for monitoring census activities using GIS and SMS messages was used.

 A new scanning system was implemented to fasten the acquisition of questionnaires.

The method of data collection used in the register-based census of Slovenia links existing statistical and administrative data sources.

Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Spain described different methods to mix the typical ingredients of a combined census.

A scenario which will continue to evolve A scenario which will continue to evolve

Germany considers crucial to establish a permanent register of buildings and dwellings.

Italy has already decided to move towards a continuous census making a larger use of administrative sources with the aid of sample surveys

Similar evolutions are expected in most of countries.

After a decade of big changes the scenario has not stabilized.

We may expect further and significant changes in the incoming years.

2010 Round - Which lessons learned?2010 Round - Which lessons learned?

Point 1: Methods. Sampling in census surveys

Sampling to collect unavailable data or to correct poor quality data was employed in some countries ( Spain, Germany, etc).

Other countries, adopted a short-long sampling strategy to reduce the statistical burden on respondents (Canada, Italy, Mexico, etc.).

The Swiss census is now conducted on an annual basis: the information primarily drawn from population registers is supplemented by sample surveys.

Italy will employ the wave of two different sample surveys (the C-sample and the D-sample survey) in the incoming continuous census (session 2).

The number of countries employing sampling in census is seen rapidly increasing. The contribution given by the sampling could be of many kinds (counting correction, data

integration) with many possible alternative options and variations.Points for discussion: How to put in common methodological efforts on this issue? Which are the limit of using sampling in order to comply with some of the principles of

censuses ( simultaneity, small-area data)? Can we (and how) continue to produce small area data?

Point 1: Methods. Sampling in census surveys

Point 2: Methods. The quality evaluation and treatment of census sources

Austria, along with the implementation of a register–based census, developed a quality framework to assess administrative data sources based on the redundancy principle.

The Swiss paper outlines the key elements of the new system based on a survey to evaluates existing administrative data.

Methods for quality control and correction are considered in many other papers.

A more intensive use of administrative sources strongly requires further advances in their quality evaluation and treatment

Methods to compare quality among countries are needed Countries could greatly benefit of future common works to

establish guidelines on the evaluation of the quality of administrative source and their treatment.

Point 2: Methods. The quality evaluation and treatment of census sources

Point 3: Point 3: Survey Tecniques.Survey Tecniques. Georeferencing Georeferencing

Points for discussionHow to establish NEW and more comprehensive International guidelines on these issues?

A georeferenced register of addresses and building registers is considered by most countries a crucial ingredient Improve georeferencing is a strong need for any kind of census: traditional, register based, combined, rolling.

Greater efforts on improving the quality of georeferenced registers of addresses and buildings are required.

Point 4: Survey Tecniques.Survey Tecniques. paperless census

Many of the changes in 2011 censuses were intended to promote a higher rate of return via the internet.

A solution focused on data transfer facilities to the NSI by wireless Internet (free of charge) in public libraries was employed in Latvia.

In Poland paper forms were completely eliminated.

A strategy adopted locally allowed a paperless census in the Italian province of Bolzano.

Points for discussion:

How to get a paperless censuses?

Point 5: Organisational solutions. Web monitoring of census performance

Close monitoring of census performance is a critical task.

All census phases must be monitored: questionnaire delivery, operator registration, return of questionnaires, questionnaire transportation , etc.

Some countries developed advanced monitoring web tools (Canada, Brazil, Italy,etc.)

Valuable the experience with the SMS and the web based GIS Monitoring System in Albania.

Points for discussion: How to establish a stronger cooperation on the characteristics to identify the main components of a census management systemsWhat should be the future evolutions of the census survey management systems? We are moving toward new generations of management system similar to social web tools?

Point 5: Organisational solutions. Web monitoring of census performance

Point 6: Organisational solutions. Multimode data collection

In the multimode collection respondents can choose among various modes of response

The number of country offering multimode data collection is increasing

The multimode data collection increase the response rate but also the organisational complexity with possible consequences on the quality of the results

Points for discussion:

Which is the impact of multimode data collection on data quality?

Is the risk of duplication among collection modes kept under control?

Are comparable the measure of quality of data collected in different way?

Point 6: Organisational solutions. Multimode data collection

Which are the limit of using sampling in order to comply with some of the principles of censuses (simultaneity, small-area data)?

Can we (and how) continue to produce small area data? How to better get this result? How to get a paperless censuses? How to establish a stronger cooperation on the

characteristics to identify the main components of a census management systems

What should be the future evolutions of the census survey management systems?

We are moving toward new generations of management system similar to social web tools? Which is the impact of multimode data collection on data quality?

Is the risk of duplication among collection modes kept under control?

Are comparable the measure of quality of data collected in different way?

Points for discussion: