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
By
Demographic Statistics Section
Demographic and Social Statistics Branch
United Nations Statistics Division

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

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

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

Non-statistical use of census enumeration
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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 …”

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

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

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

Non-statistical use of census enumeration
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Fundamental Principles of Official
Statistics, in particular Principles 6:
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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

Non-statistical use of census enumeration
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Combining the census with any nonstatistical information may compromise the integrity of the census
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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

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

Non-statistical use of census enumeration
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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.