Use of census data for gender statistics
and analysis
Margaret Mbogoni
Demographic and Social Statistics Branch
Statistics Division, DESA
United Nations, New York
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Outline
 Outline of the Methodological Guidelines for the Gender
Analysis of National Population and Housing Census Data
 Strengths and weaknesses of census data for gender analysis
 Examples of questions for gender analysis that have been
asked in national censuses
 Select topics for gender analysis based on census data
–
–
–
–
–
–
Relative numbers of females/males by age
Households and families
Marital status
Education and literacy
Fertility
Special population groups
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Methodological Guidelines for the Gender Analysis
of National Population and Housing Census Data
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Contents: Part 1
Introduction
PART ONE - Background and Conceptual Clarifications for
Gender Analysis of Census Data
1.
2.
Gender in Population and Housing Censuses
Conceptual Clarifications on Gender Equality and Gender-Responsive
Data Analysis
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Contents: Part 2
PART TWO – 10 Key Gender Issues Analysed with Census Data
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Fertility
Mortality
Sex Ratio at Birth and During the Life Course
Marital Status, Polygamy, Widowhood, Child Marriage
Households and Families
Income, Poverty and Living Conditions
Education and Literacy
Work, Economic Activities and Social Protection
Migration
Disability
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Conclusions and Appendices
Conclusions
References
APPENDICES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Gender-Relevant Issues in 2005-2014 Census Forms
Glossary of Important Gender Terms
Mapping of Resources on Gender Statistics
Brief Overview of the Evolution of Gender Statistics
From Understanding the Gender Data Gap to Improving the
Production and Analysis of Gender Statistics
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Structure of each chapter
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What is it?
Why is it important?
Data issues
Tabulations
Indicators
Multivariate and further gender analyses
Interpretation, policy and advocacy
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Tables, indicators and analysis
 The basic premise of the manual is that the census offers
many opportunities for in-depth studies, but that this
requires going beyond the standard tabulations and
constructing more complex indicators and analyses
 Some of these techniques go beyond what NSOs normally
consider to be their mandate, namely the preparation of
standard general-purpose tables and simple indicators. In
order to implement some of the proposals contained in the
manual (e.g. multivariate analyses), it may be necessary to
build strong research ties with academic and research
institutions outside the NSOs
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Tables, indicators and analysis
 To make the best possible use of the advantages offered by
census data
−
DISAGGREGATE, DISAGGREGATE, DISAGGREGATE
−
Or at least, STANDARDIZE
 But have a plan for why you are disaggregating
 Control as many intervening factors as you can, if necessary
by using multivariate techniques
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Strengths of census data for gender analysis
 Censuses provide universal information on the demographic
and social characteristics and living arrangements of every
individual within the scope of the enumeration up to the
lowest geographical level
– Sex-disaggregated characteristics of the entire population can be
presented in detail down to the lowest geographic level
– Locality-specific differentials can be derived
– Good for identifying vulnerable groups for targeted interventions
 Censuses provide insights into the private and community
spheres and (indirectly) into time-use of women and girls,
men and boys
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Strengths of census data for gender analysis
 Census data for advocacy: A local-level “early warning
system” on gender inequalities
 Censuses provide essential background information allowing
for further research on women and men, girls and boys
−
−
Identify data gaps on gender issues
Sampling frame
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Weaknesses of census data for gender analysis
 Census data may not have been produced in a genderresponsive way
 Census data are of very limited scope and depth (basic
characteristics)
 Gender-related discrimination is not explicitly measured by
censuses (e.g. why lower schooling rates for females than for
males)
 The level of analysis for census data is sex, not gender
 The census data may be outdated or of low quality (e.g. due to
underreporting on women)
 Data access and the capacity to analyze census data in the
appropriate ways may be problematic
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Some interesting questions in censuses
 Time spent caring for children: own or of other people (Australia)
 Looking after, or give any help or support to family members, friends,
neighbours or others because of either: (i)long-term physical or
mental ill-health/disability, or (ii) problems related to old age (UK)
 Time spent for sick or disabled household members (Aruba, Australia,
Iran, Ireland)
 Unpaid domestic work carried out in the household (Australia)
 Matrix of family relationships between household members (Ireland)
 Children ever born, not only for women, but also for men (Bermuda,
Croatia, Hungary)
 Reasons to migrate (Cambodia, Nepal, Iran)
 Previous marriages (Ireland, Nepal, Mauritius, Maldives)
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Some interesting questions in censuses
 Income data detailed by household members or by source
(several)
 Trans-gender identity (India, Thailand)
 Question about homosexual unions (Germany, Brazil, Croatia, UK)
 Any kind of activity which generated income (several)
 Fertility preferences (Kazakhstan, Korea)
 Ownership of land and/or property (Nepal)
 Assistance received in the delivery (Cambodia)
 Sex of person sending remittances (El Salvador)
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Some interesting questions in censuses
 19 countries ask for the date or the age of the woman at the
time of her first marriage
 11 countries ask for the date (year) or the age of the mother
at the time of birth of the first live-born child
 24 countries allow the identification of domestic servants in
the household
 Some countries ask men about polygamous unions
 Several censuses address causes of disability (Zambia 2010
has spousal violence)
 30 countries are asking the questions allowing the
estimation of maternal mortality from the census
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Gender analysis based on census data
Are there any gender issues (problems, questions related to
women/girls and men/boys in society) regarding:
 Their relative numbers?
− Age/sex distribution
 Where they live?
−
−
−
Spatial distribution (urban/rural)
Migration
Housing conditions
 Whom they live with?
−
−
Households and families
Marital status
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Gender analysis based on census data
Are there any gender issues (problems, questions
related to women/girls and men/boys in society)
regarding:
 Their socio-economic and demographic characteristics?
−
−
−
−
Education and literacy
Fertility
Mortality
Labour force participation
 Vulnerabilities
− Special population groups (children, youth, elderly, persons with disabilities)
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Population size by age and sex
 Numbers of males and females at different ages depends on
their numbers at birth, migration patterns and mortality
conditions throughout the life cycle
 Relative proportions of males to females by age group follow
an expected pattern with extreme departures (imbalances)
requiring investigation of underlying demographic processes
(births, deaths, and migration)
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Male and female population size by age
Policy relevance:
 Statistics and indicators on age/sex composition are
important to assess the needs of the different age groups
(care for pre-school aged children, education for the young,
employment for adolescents and working age adults, care
for the elderly, etc.)
 In terms of distribution by age and sex:
−
−
Is there a balanced ratio of females to males or is there significantly
more of one sex?
At what ages are deficits of females or males substantial and what
are the likely causes as well as consequences?
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Male and female population size by age
(total, rural/urban)
 Tabulation
-
Population by single years of age(age groups)and sex
 Indicators
− Proportional age distribution by sex
− Proportion by sex for each age group
− Sex ratios
 Data issues
− Errors in age reporting
− Selective under-reporting
− Distinguishing errors from other issues
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Relative sizes (males/females)
Proportion of population by age and sex, total, Malawi (2008)
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Relative sizes (males/females)
Proportion of population by age and sex, urban, Malawi (2008)
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Relative sizes (males/females)
Proportion of population by age and sex, rural, Malawi (2008)
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Relative sizes (males/females)
70
Proportion of population by sex, by age, total, Malawi (2008)
60
Proportion
50
40
Male
30
Female
20
10
0
0-4
10-14
20-24
30-34
40-44
50-54
60-64
70-74
80-84
90-94
Age]
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Relative sizes (males/females)
Proportion population by sex, by age, urban, Malawi (2008)
80
70
60
Proportion
50
40
Male
Female
30
20
10
0
0-4
10-14
20-24
30-34
40-44
50-54
60-64
70-74
80-84
90-94
Age
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Relative size (males/females)
Proportion of population by sex, by age, rural, Malawi (2008)
70
60
Proportion
50
40
Male
30
Female
20
10
0
0-4
10-14
20-24
30-34
40-44
50-54
60-64
70-74
80-84
90-94
Age
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Sex ratios at birth, selected age groups
Regions
At birth
0-4 years
103
5-14
years
102
15-24
years
101
Sub-Saharan Africa
104
Middle East and North Africa
105
105
105
105
South Asia
107
108
108
108
South Asia excl. India
105
105
105
104
East Asia and Pacific
113
114
114
109
East Asia and Pacific excl. China
105
105
105
104
Latin America and the Caribbean
105
104
104
103
CEE/CIS
106
106
105
103
Developing countries
107
107
108
106
World
107
107
107
106
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Sex ratio by age, total, urban, rural – Malawi (2008)
160
140
120
Sex ratio
100
Total
80
Urban
Rural
60
40
20
0
0-4
10-14
20-24
30-34
40-44
50-54
60-64
70-74
80-84
90-94
Age
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Sex ratio by age, total – Qatar (2010)
600.0
500.0
Sex ratio
400.0
300.0
200.0
100.0
0.0
Under 1
1-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
Age
40-44
45-49
50-54
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75+
United Nations Statistics Division
Households and families
Policy relevance:
 Statistics on household size, composition and headship are
useful indicators for gender analysis with regard to living
arrangements of families, likely number of wage earners and
overall economic needs that have to be provided for within the
household
− Families with children present a higher likelihood of vulnerability and
poverty than families without children
− Families of lone mothers (e.g., teenagers) versus those of lone fathers in
terms of poverty rates
− Care-giving roles of females in home and likely impact on their schooling
and participation in formal employment
− Living arrangements of elderly persons
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Households and families
Policy relevance:
 Important for identifying the prevalence of one-person households,
single-parent and multi-generational families
 Statistics on household/family characteristics can be linked to data
on housing characteristics (living conditions)
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Households and families
 Tabulations (total, urban, rural):
− Population in households by age and sex and relationship to head or
other reference member of household, and institutional population by
age and sex
− Households by household size and age and sex of head of household
or other reference
− Households by type of household, age and sex of head of household
or other reference member
− Population in households by age and sex and marital status of head of
household or other reference member
− Children under 15 years by age and sex and whether living with: (i)
both parents, (ii) mother only, (iii) father only, (iv) parents and grandparents,
and (v) grandparents only
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Households and families
 Indicators:
− Percentage distribution of the population by age and sex and living
arrangements (with family, alone, institutional, etc)
− Percentage distribution of households by sex and age of head or other
reference member of household
− Percentage distribution of households by size (population by household
size), by age and sex of head or other reference member of household
− Percentage distribution population by age, sex and marital status of head
or other reference member of household
− Percentage distribution of households with children under 15 years of age
by age, by presence of both parent, presence of mother only, presence of
father only
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Households and families
 Indicators:
− Percentage distribution of households with children under 15 years by
number of children, sex and marital status of head
− Percentage distribution of elderly persons by age and sex and living
arrangements (couple, living alone, with children, grandchildren, other
relatives, non-relatives)
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Headship rates
Proportion of households by type of household, age and sex of head or
other reference member of household – State of Palestine (1997)
100
Proportion of households by type
90
80
70
60
50
Male - Living alone
40
Male - Nuclear
Household
Male - Non-nuclear
household
Female - Living alone
30
20
10
Female - Nuclear
household
0
0 - 14
20 - 24
30 - 34
40 - 44
50 - 54
60 - 64
70 - 74
80 - 84
90 - 94
98+
Age of head/reference member of household
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Variety of household compositions –
Cambodia 2008
Cambodia (2008)
Without other adults
With other adults
Male
head
30,274
Female
head
68,377
Male
head
52,970
Female
head
174,078
Couple without children
121,031
10,135
256,785
19,225
Couple with 1-2 children under 15
485,038
38,463
568,448
45,617
Couple with 3+ children under 15
246,319
18,834
288,206
22,632
12,286
81,563
32,561
173,868
2,835
25,275
9,601
49,643
Head without spouse or children
Lone parent with 1-2 children
under 15
Lone parent with 3+ children
under 15
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Living arrangements of older persons –
Australia (2011)
65-74 years
Living with spouse or partner
Living with children or other relatives
Group household
Lone person
Total in private dwellings
In non-private dwelling
Grand total (no.)
Living with spouse or partner
Living with children or other relatives
Group household
73.8
3.6
2.3
15.3
98.3
1.7
740.9
59.6
9.5
75–84 years
Male
67.6
4.4
1.7
18.5
95.1
4.9
417
Female
37.4
13.4
1.9
1.2
Lone person
25
38.8
Total in private dwellings
98.6
92.9
In non-private dwelling
1.4
7.1
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in
the Production of Statistics
Grand total
1-4 (no.)
December 2014, Amman, Jordan
775
514.5
85 years
and over
Total 65 years
and over
46.1
7.3
69
4.2
1.2
25.2
82.3
17.7
132.2
2
17.4
95.7
4.3
1290.1
11.5
14.8
44.4
11.6
0.7
1.5
40.5
32.2
69.3
91.9
30.7
8.1
United Nations Statistics Division
250.9
1 540.4
Headship problems
 The definition of ‘head of household’ is vague and in no way
uniform across countries thereby putting into question how the
results should be interpreted. At least five different concepts of
head of household can be found in censuses:
−
−
−
−
−
Main breadwinner
Householder
Main authority
Reference person
Questionnaire respondent
 Gender inequality may take place at the intra-household level (e.g.
unequal distribution of earnings and consumption among
members of the household). Therefore, focusing on femaleheaded households may not capture these inequalities and be
misleading.
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Marital status
Policy relevance:
 Related to living arrangements, educational attainment,
fertility…
 Early marriage interferes with the educational and career
development of women much more than for men, especially
when early marriage is associated with early pregnancy and
childbirth
 Marital status is related to property rights in some societies
 Women are more vulnerable to dependency and poverty with
early marriage and in likelihood of marital dissolution, e.g.,
widowhood
 Polygamy has many potential negative impacts on women
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Marital status
 Tabulations (total, urban, rural):
− Population aged 15 (??) years and older by marital status, age group
and sex
− Population aged 15 (??) years and older by age at first marriage, age
group and sex
− Total population 15 years and older, by disability status, marital status,
age and sex
Data problems:
− Definition of marriage and implications for entry into a union
− Age mis-reporting
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Marital status
 Indicators (total, urban, rural)
− Percentage distribution of population by age, sex and marital status
o Widowhood and divorce related to vulnerability particularly for women
− Sex distribution within marital status categories by age group
− Age at first marriage by sex
o Singulate mean age at marriage by sex
o Singulate mean age at marriage by sex and educational attainment
o Percentage of women aged 20-24 years old who were married or in a
union before age 18
 Early marriage (relates to termination of education and lack of career
development leading to economic dependency and poverty)
 Adolescent fertility
− Age difference between spouses
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Marital status Population 15 years and older by
Population 15 years and older by
marital status and sex – Egypt (2006)
120
Proportion by marital status
100
80
Male - Never married
Male - Married
Married - Divorced
60
Male - Widowed
Female - Never married
Female - Married
40
Female - Divorced
Female - Widowed
20
0
0 - 15
16 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49 50 - 54 55 - 59 60 - 64 65 - 69 70 - 74
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective inAge
the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
75 +
United Nations Statistics Division
Tabulation of Census Data – Australia (2011)
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Educational characteristics
Policy relevance:
− School attendance provides information on access by gender
especially for boys and girls
− Educational attainment levels of the population give an overview
of the distribution of skills and the extent of preparedness for the
labour force and is linked to age at marriage, fertility, socioeconomic status, health and survival of women and children
− Literacy is crucial in contemporary society as it ensures access to
knowledge and information
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Educational characteristics
Tabulations (total, urban, rural):
− Population 5 years of age and over by school attendance,
educational attainment, age and sex
− Population 10 years of age and over by literacy, age and sex
− Population 5-29 years of age, by disability status, school
attendance, age and sex
− Population 15 years of age and over by disability status,
educational attainment, age and sex
Data problems:
− Literacy is self-declared with likelihood of reluctance of some
persons to admit not being literate and difficulty of
administering test to ascertain literacy
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Educational characteristics
Indicators (total, urban, rural):
− Percentage distribution of population 5 years of age and over by
school attendance, educational attainment, age and sex
− Percentage distribution of population 10 years of age and over
by literacy, age and sex
− Proportionate distribution of population 5 years of age and over
by school attendance, educational attainment, age and sex
− Proportionate distribution of population 10 years of age and
over by literacy, age and sex
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
School attendance by age and sex, Lesotho
(2006)
Total
Males
Females
Age
Number
Percent
Number Percent
Number
Percent
Total
497,110
100.0
239,617 48.2
257,493
51.8
6-12
267,021
53.7
130,414 48.8
136,607
51.2
13-17
172,569
34.7
81,064
47.0
91,505
53.0
18-24
57,520
11.6
28,139
48.9
29,381
51.1
27,266
50.7
20,469
10,550
52.2
51.2
109,341
71,036
19,315
51.3
53.3
50.9
6-12
53,780
47.3
Urban
26,514 49.3
13-17
18-24
39,249
20,601
34.5
18.1
18,780
10,051
55.5
34.7
9.9
Rural
103,900 48.7
62,284 46.7
18,619 49.1
6-12
13-17
18-24
213,241
133,320
37,934
47.8
48.8
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Educational attainment by sex, Lesotho
(2006)
Percentage distribution of persons 15 years and over by educational
attainment by urban and rural residence and sex (Lesotho - 2006)
80
70
Percentage
60
50
Urban Males
40
Urban Females
Rural Males
30
Rural Females
20
10
0
Primary
Secondary
Graduate
None
Highest level of education attained
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Fertility Analysis
Policy relevance:
 Early and repeated child-bearing:
− Poses risks for women’s health and often keeps them from obtaining
sufficient education or training to ensure a secure future for
themselves and their children
− Interferes with employment
o When education is truncated, opportunities for employment are limited
o Women tend to withdraw from labour force to attend to family and
take care of young children with likely consequences for career
development
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Fertility Analysis
Tabulations (total, urban, rural):
1) Female population 15 years of age and over, by age and number of
children ever born alive by sex
2) Female population 15 years of age and over, by age and educational
attainment and number of children ever born alive by sex
3) Female population 15-49 years of age, number of live births, by sex,
within the 12 months preceding the census
Data problems:
1) Recall errors
2) Reporting by a proxy
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Basic fertility indicators
Indicators: Total, urban, rural
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Age specific fertility rates
Total fertility rate (by education)
Parity progression ratios (by education)
Adolescent birth rate (15-19)
Age at birth of first child born alive (by education)
Percentage of childless women (Age 40-44 or 45-49)
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Tabulation of Census Data – Fertility Analysis
 The standard tables that NSOs prepare in their generalpurpose census reports are geared towards the estimation of
fertility levels and patterns (ASFRs/TFRs), for the general
population or possibly some sub-groups
 In practice, this means:
− Even though the majority of censuses (except 10) allow disaggregating
births by sex, this is often not done
− In many cases only the total/average number of children by age
category of the mother is tabulated, not a distribution by number of
children ever born
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Tabulation of Census Data – Fertility Analysis (contd.)
 Disaggregation by sex would allow the computation of Sex
Ratios at Birth (SRBs) which is an important indicator in some
countries. Alternatively, one may compute the sex ratio
among children under age 1, but this already contains a
mortality component.
 The distribution by numbers of children ever born would
allow the analysis of childlessness by age category and
preferably by marital status category. This is a major gender
issue in many parts of the world.
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Tabulation of Census Data
Example 1.B. Childlessness
Producing statistics on childlessness (preferably by marital status)
serves two purposes:
 To quantify this phenomenon, which in many countries
represents a significant social stigma, more so for women than
for men. In many developed countries, on the other hand,
childlessness is clearly on the rise, e.g. 21.0% of women aged
40, in the 2010 census of Finland, as opposed to 9.9%
(Cambodia, 2008) and 7.0% (Ethiopia, 2007).
 To relate childlessness to certain negative social repercussions,
such as divorce/separation. The problem, however, is that this
relation can go both ways (Nepal, 2001: 43.5% of divorced
women were childless).
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Special population groups
 Children (under 15 years) – school attendance, relationship to
head or reference member of household
− Infant and child mortality by sex
− Related to the girl child (school attendance, mortality, early marriage)
 Youth (15-24 years) – school attendance, educational
attainment, literacy, marital status, age at marriage, fertility,
economic activity status
 Elderly (60 years and over) – marital status, living arrangements
 Persons with disabilities – place of residence, living
arrangements, marital status, school attendance, educational
attainment, economic activity status
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Tabulation of Census Data
Example 2 Disability and Marriage
El Salvador (2007) - Percentage of ever married 30-39 year olds by sex and
type of disability
Type of Disability
Difficulty Walking or Moving
Difficulty in Use of Hands or Arms
Sight Impairment, Even Using Glasses
Hearing Impairment, Even Using Hearing Aids
Speech Impairment
Mental Retardation or Deficiency
Difficulty Bathing, Clothing, Eating
Other Type of Disability
No Disability of Any Type
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
Men
57.0
53.4
68.8
39.3
21.4
6.9
31.8
51.9
79.1
Women
49.9
48.0
67.0
42.5
28.2
16.0
38.7
51.7
77.1
United Nations Statistics Division
Conclusion
 Censuses have obvious limitations, especially with respect to the
subjects that can be investigated:
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No gender-based violence
No female genital mutilation
No male and female fertility preferences
No distribution of resources within the household
No time use information, etc. etc. etc.
 However:
− A lot of census information is relevant to gender analysis, if properly
analyzed
− Some censuses have special questions on gender-related topics
− Census data can be disaggregated to much more specific levels than is
possible with surveys
− Census data may be merged with surveys on specific topics, e.g. poverty
surveys
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division
Thank you
‫شكرا‬
Regional Workshop on Integrating a Gender Perspective in the Production of Statistics
1-4 December 2014, Amman, Jordan
United Nations Statistics Division