Determining Topics and
Tabulations
Session 5
United Nations Statistics Division
Demographic Statistics Section
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Outline of Presentation
 Outline
o Resolution on 2010 census round
o Objectives of census
 Deciding on census content – issues to consider
 Deciding on individual census topics – issues to consider
 Determining tabulations to produce
 National needs vs international comparability
 Uses of the data tabulated by different census topics
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Introduction
 In 2005 the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
adopted the resolution on the 2010 World Population and
Housing Census Programme
 Resolution recognizes importance of the population and
housing census to preparation of a core set of national data
and information for socio-economic planning and governance
 Resolution urges Member States to:
o Carry out a population and housing census
o Disseminate census results
o Provide census results to national stakeholders, UN and other
appropriate intergovernmental organizations
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Introduction (contd.)
 Objectives of a census are specific to individual countries
and depend on demand for statistics in the country and on
the content and structure of the national statistical system
 The prime role of a census is usually to provide an accurate
count of the total population for each of the administrative
regions of a country
 Population and housing censuses provide statistical
information on the demographic, social and economic
characteristics of the population and for small geographical
areas and sub-populations
 The key strength of a census is the ability to provide data for
small geographic areas and for small population groups
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Introduction (contd.)
Issues to consider
 The census should be considered as part of the larger National
Statistical Programme
 When data are not required at the small geographical level and/or
for small geographical populations, other statistical methodologies
more cost-effective than censuses should be adopted
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
On Topics and Tabulations
 Census topics represent the subjects regarding which
information is to be sought for each individual, household,
living quarters, and buildings
 Tabulations present aggregated statistical information on
social, demographic and economic phenomena needed as a
basis for programmes of economic and social development
and for research purposes
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Deciding on Census Content
 Overall content of the census should be decided upon
balanced consideration of:
o National data needs at national and local levels
o Availability of data from other statistical sources
o National Statistical Programme of which census is a part
o Needed level of detail of data in terms of small
geographical/population group
o Constraints of a census for data collection (only limited
number of questions can be asked while sensitive and
complex questions are more suitable for surveys)
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Deciding on Census Content (contd.)
 Overall content of the census should be decided upon
balanced consideration of: (contd.)
o Requirement to support legislation and government
programs and policies
o Ensuring historical comparison
o Burden on respondents
o Total national resources available to conduct the census
o Regional and international comparability
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Determination of Census Topics
 Broadly speaking, selection of census topics is based on
outputs expected to be produced by the census
 Adequate user consultation is, therefore, critical
 Each topic should meet some key user requirement
criteria:
o Topic carries strong and clearly defined user need
o Topic is suitable for inclusion in census and there are no
other means than census to collect data on topic
o Data on topic required for small population groups and/or at
detailed geographical levels
o Topic doesn’t differ drastically from previous censuses or can
provide comparison with previous censuses
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Determination of Census Topics (contd.)
 User requirement for data by itself not enough
 Topic should not be included if:
o It’s sensitive or potentially intrusive, or requires lengthy
explanation to ensure an accurate answer
o It imposes an excessive burden on respondents or seeks
information not readily known or that respondents are
unlikely to remember accurately
o It inquires about opinions and attitudes
o It presents major coding problems or extensive processing
o It results in data that deliberately promote political or
sectarian groups, or sponsor particular causes
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Determination of Census Topics (contd.)
 Historical continuation vs change in topics
o Historical continuity offers opportunity for comparison of
changes over time in socio-economic phenomena
o However, avoid collecting information that is no longer
required
o Take into account emerging national social and economic
issues
o Take into account alternative data sources
o Necessary, therefore, (in consultation with users) to review
periodically topics traditionally investigated
 Inclusion of new topics requires extensive testing to
ensure successful collection and production of reliable
results
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Determination of Tabulations to Produce
 Efforts should be made to publish principal results of the
census as soon as possible after enumeration
 Census is not complete until information collected has
been made available to users in a form, and to a
timetable, suited to their needs (tabulations are one of
many products of a census)
 Advancements in modern technology have made
production of tabulation much easier and at a relatively
small fraction of overall census cost than before
 Although many data users prefer to obtain census
products in electronic media, others still prefer print
media in the form of tabulations
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
National needs vs International Comparability
 National and international objectives are usually
compatible
 International guidelines enable countries to compare their
results with those of other countries
 UN guidelines are based on broad studies of country
experience and practice that have successfully met
general national needs in a wide range of circumstances
 UN recommended tabulations are basic and only a guide
 National tabulation programme should be developed
taking into account national data needs and resource
available
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Determination of Tabulations – General
Considerations
 Careful consideration of variables for inclusion
 Content of table responds to the needs of the data users
o Consultation with users
 Plans for tabulations should be prepared at same time as
content of questionnaire
o Linking questions to use for the data
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Data Collected on
 Geographical and internal migration characteristics
 International migration characteristics
 Household and family characteristics
 Demographic and social characteristics
 Fertility and mortality
 Educational characteristics
 Economic characteristics
 Disability characteristics
 Housing characteristics
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Uses of Tabulations of the Data by Topic
 What follows are examples of uses of the data tabulated
by different census topics
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Geographical and Internal Migration
Characteristics
 Data showing minor and major geographical and
administrative divisions necessary for:
o Determining apportionment of legislative representation
o Administrative purposes
o Planning the location of economic and social facilities
 Data on internal migration are needed for:
o Preparation of population estimates (together with data on
fertility and mortality) for planning purposes
o Determining policies on migration
o Assessing effectiveness of migration policies
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
International Migration
 Data useful for assessment of:
o Movement of persons across national boundaries
o Impact of migration
o Adaptation
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Demographic and Social Characteristics
 Age and sex
o Age/sex population distribution/structure of population
o Gender analyses
 Marital status
o
Age at first marriage
o
Proportions never married, married, divorced, widowed
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Demographic and Social Characteristics
 Religion
 Language
 Ethnicity
 Indigenous peoples
o
Religion, language, ethnicity and indigenous peoples
important for analyses of cultural diversity in the country
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Household Characteristics
 Distribution of individuals within households used to
determine the living arrangements of families and
patterns of family structure
 Data on number, size and structure of households useful
for planning and for development of policies (children,
elderly, disabled persons)
 Relationship between household members useful for:
o Determining family structure
o Composition of households (relatives, non-relatives)
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Fertility and Mortality
 Data used for estimates of:
o Current fertility (total fertility rate, age-specific fertility
rates)
o Life time fertility (children ever-born alive)
o Infant and childhood mortality
o Levels and patterns of adult mortality
o Maternal orphanhood
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Educational Characteristics
 Data used to monitor:
o Quality of life
o Access to education
o National capacity for economic and social development
o Educational opportunities by gender, age cohorts,
rural/urban residence
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Economic Characteristics
 Provides data on:
o Employment, unemployment, underemployment
o Composition and distribution of economically active
population – occupation, industry, functional status,etc.
o Agricultural/non-agricultural activities
o Participation in the informal sector
o Issues of support and dependence
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Disability Characteristics
 Data as a basis for:
o Monitoring the social, economic and living conditions of
persons with disabilities
o Development and evaluating effectiveness of policies aimed
at needs of persons with disabilities
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Housing Characteristics
 Housing stock
 Quality of housing
 Land use
 Housing needs
 Living conditions
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012
Thank you
Workshop on Collection and Dissemination of Socio-economic Data from Population and Housing Censuses
New Delhi, India, 28-31 May 2012