The population census as a tool to count forcibly displaced populations

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Gwendoline Jennings
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Antalya, Turkey 7-9 October 2015, Vebjørn Aalandslid, Statistics

with SN colleagues Frode Berglund and Kari-Anne Lund on secondment

1 The population census as a tool to count forcibly displaced populations Presentation to Conference of Refugee Statistics, Antalya, Turkey 7-9 October 2015, Vebjørn Aalandslid, Statistics Norway The presentation is based on worked carried out together with SN colleagues Frode Berglund and Kari-Anne Lund on secondment to UNHCR and the Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS) through NRC/Norcap deployments.

2 Background Analysis of 150 census questionnaires used in the 2010-round with the aim of identifying whether information on forcibly displaced population groups can be extracted Questionnaires collected from the UNSD website nsus/censusquest.htm as well as some additional questionnaires from NSOs

3 The population census The population census is the backbone of any statistical system and in most countries the primary source of demographic data on the general population For most countries (although data are less timely than surveys) also key source on the stock of migrants as well as background data/sample frame for analysis of their living and housing conditions. The census allows for comparisons between the total population and the migrant population that more targeted studies can not offer. Census data only to a limited degree used to give information about forcibly displaced populations.

4 Are forcibly displaced populations included and identified in the population censuses? In most countries these groups will be included either as a part of the resident population or in some cases as a part of the non-resident population. In both instances refugees or asylum seekers should be included in the total population count. If refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons are counted in the population census: Is it possible to identify these population groups? Has statistics on forcibly displaced persons been produced from the censuses?

5 Census methodology Most countries in the world (85 percent) carry out a traditional census with questionnaires. All censuses in Africa and Latin America used (variations of) the traditional method and 90 percent of Asian censuses. In Europe, more and more countries opt for register based solutions a specific topic could be to explore how statistics on refugees can be included here.

6 International census recommendations Recommendations on topics to be collected and what definitions and classifications to use. The recommendations are divided into core and non-core topics Three core topics on migration: country of birth, citizenship and year of arrival. Core topics + questions on previous residence + ethno cultural characteristics can be used to indirectly give an estimate of persons with a refugee background

7 International census recommendations Overall, forcibly displaced population groups are hardly referenced in the UN census recommendations for the 2010-round Refugees or internally displaced persons in camps should be counted and their numbers distinguished as a separate group follows a narrow definition There are references to the UN Recommendations on Statistics of International Migration (1998), but only related to the three core topics

8 Regional census recommendations Forcibly displaced population groups are not covered in the regional census recommendations for Africa, Western-Asia, Asia or Latin-America. In the UNECE (Europe + N-Amr) recommendations the topic Reason for Migration is listed as a non core topic, with response categories that include migration for forced/humanitarian reasons. The UNECE recommendations also include the topic population with a refugee background and internally displaced persons as derived non-core topics with guidance on how to obtain such data. This requires inclusion of a question on Reason for migration (both international and internal)

9 Table 1. Inclusion of topics in national population censuses by world region round of Censuses Region Number of countries Country/Place of Birth -question Citizenship/ Nationalityquestion Year of Arrivalquestion Previous place of residence Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania Total Source: UNSD, NSO websites

10 Table 2. Inclusion of topics in national population censuses by world region round of Censuses Region Number of countries Question on Ethnicity Question on Language Question on Religion Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania Totalsum Source: UNSD, NSO websites

11 Table 3. Inclusion of topics in national population censuses by world region round of Censuses Region Number of countries Reason for International Migration Reason for Internal Migration Specific questions on Forced Displacement Africa 37 6 Americas 32 3 Asia 35 8 Europe 32 7 Burkina Faso, Egypt, Mauritius, Zambia, Tunisia, Djibouti, American Samoa, Belize, Cayman Islands Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Maldives Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Montenegro, Serbia, Russia Egypt, Somalia, Djibouti Bermuda, Colombia, American Samoa, Saint-Lucien, Colombia Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Iran, Maldives, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Occupied Palestinian Territory Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo Oceania 14 2 Guam, Palau 0 0 Total (17 %) 22 (15%) 11 (7%) Burundi, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan, Cote d`ivoire Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Occ. Palestinia Territory Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Source: UNSD, NSO websites

12 Heterogeneity in response categories Source: UNSD, NSO websites

13 Table 4. Questions to identify IDPs in population censuses Country Separate question on internal displacement Internal displacement within broader question Current IDP Former IDP Reason for becoming IDP Afghanistan Yes Yes Azerbaijan Yes Yes Bosnia-Herzegovina Yes Yes Yes Burundi Yes Yes Yes Cambodia Yes Yes Yes Yes Colombia Yes Yes Djibouti Yes Yes Yes Cote d Ivoire Yes Yes Yes Yes (crisis 2002, 2011) Kosovo Yes Yes Yes (war 98, 99) Liberia Yes Yes Yes Yes Montenegro Yes Yes Serbia Yes Yes Yes Yes (war 99) Somalia Yes Yes Yes Yes Sri Lanka Yes Yes Yes Sudan Yes Yes Source: UNSD, NSO websites 13

14 Some lessons learnt The census is best suited to give data on long(er) term demography/integration of forcibly displaced persons, as well as a tool for more targeted sample surveys and to cover out of camp populations. The UN census recommendations can benefit from the UNECE recommendations that give advice on inclusion of forcibly displaced persons in the censuses. One additional question/topic: Reason for migration, can give huge increase in relevant data. In 2010-round: Reason for migration only limited use and lack of guidance gives heterogeneity in how the topic is applied. Still untapped potential in existing data. Little has been published (at least by NSOs).

2010 Round of World Population and Housing Census as Sources of International Migration Statistics

2010 Round of World Population and Housing Census as Sources of International Migration Statistics Keiko Osaki Demographic and Social Statistics Branch United Nations Statistics Division Eighth Coordination