a census is a census is a census ? a changing role of population censuses eurostat contribution to...
TRANSCRIPT
A census is a census is a census ?
A changing role of population censuses
Eurostat contribution to the seminar on population
censuses at the 2012 CES plenary session
From where we come
Authentic data we can rely on
100 %
High quality comes at a high price ─
too high ?
Censuses adapt to changing environments
Census method 2010 census round
Census method2000round
Tradi-tional
Com-bined
Register-based
Other TOTAL
Traditional 11 5 1 1 18
Combined 0 5 0 0 5
Register-based
0 0 2 0 2
No census 0 1 1 0 2
TOTAL 11 11 4 1 27
Czech Republic
Estonia
Italy
Lithuania
Poland
Austria France
Germany Sweden
Where we are ─ a paradigm shift
1) step up the integration of censuses into social statistics
2) focus on coverage
3) make the geo-referencing of population data precise
4) make comparative quality assessments of multi-source/multi-mode processes and outputs
5) develop and use common tools
Where should we be heading ?
1) Step up the integration of censuses into social statistics
Assess and improve the coverage of population frames
Linkage of data sources should not be a one-off exercise
Harmonise specifications and breakdowns for census topics + x
When integrating surveys treat census as primus inter pares
Enhance continuity of census work
Where should we be heading ?
2) Focus on coverage
Good coverage of national and regional population is the key objective of censuses
Difficult but important: cross-border coverage
Assess and maintain coverage of frames also during inter-censual periods
Where should we be heading ?
3) Make the geo-referencing of population data precise
Causes of socio-economic and environmental phenomena do not follow delineations of administrative areas
Increase analytical flexibility
Precise geo-referencing of addresses
Where should we be heading ?
4) Make comparative quality assessments of multi-source/multi mode processes and outputs
The starting point is settled:
– The established quality frameworks for official statistics
– The essential features of population censuses
Challenges:
– Make quality criteria operational
– Measure them comparatively for a multi-source/multi-mode operation
– Evaluate output and processes
Where should we be heading ?
5) Use and develop common tools
Standardisation
Improved business model
Example: EU Census Hub (SDMX based)
Shared software developments (e.g. validation, dissemination)
Where should we be heading ?
A census is a census is …
a lot of work
Thank you !