STATISTICS IN ROMANIA: FROM CATAGRAPHIES TO CENSUSES* - PAST AND REALITY

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1 STATISTICS IN ROMANIA: FROM CATAGRAPHIES TO CENSUSES* - PAST AND REALITY Ec. Ioan B. GÂLCEAVĂ Eng. Cristian Vitty CHIRAN Prof. Magdalena DRĂGUŞIN National Institute of Statistics Abstract At the 151 years anniversary of official statistics in Romania ( ) setting up the World Day of Statistics (October 20, 2010) to be celebrated in the whole world represents for our country the recognition of importance and role of statistics, statisticians work along time, for development and modernization. Key words: catagraphy; censusu; statistics; population census; UN; World Day of Statistics. *** Evidence and statistics activities developed on actual territory of Romania are dated in fact many years ago before Until the period of Roman domination in Dacia, there are certified documents during the creation of Dacian state. Romans did probably in 107 the census of inhabitants and goods (Census provinciae) each five years. Evidence and statistics system also carried on after the retreat of Romans from Dacia during the whole period of Romanian people formation, of the first Romanian state formations, being known the number of population, land use, mineral resources, number of livestock, commercial situation and other activities. Later on, in the specialized dictionaries issued along time, authors formulated clear, comprehensive definitions on our opinion regarding STATISTICS as science, discipline * Catagraphy source of demographic data used since the second half of the XVIIIth century; Catagraphy Greek origin word; meaning to register in a list pointing out a means of evidence. (statistical economic Dictionary 1969) Census total statistical observation consisting in numbering all the units in order to get data and information of demographic, social and economic nature. It can have as object the population, industrial, commercial, transport, agriculture enterprises etc. on a territory limited by criteria and principles well defined. Population census - defined as a process of collection, processing and publication of demographic, economic and social data, being usually done each ten years (macroeconomy Dictionary, 2008).

2 using own calculation methods for various fields, analysis and interpretation of phenomena evolution. It was underlined that STATISTICS was born from practical needs. In various epochs, evidence and statistics works were imposed by knowledge needs, especially for military and administrative purpose. Generally, there are mentioned: descriptive statistics, arithmetic statistics, probabilistic statistics, informational statistics, systemic statistics etc. State statistical institutions: offices, commissions, bureaus, directions, institutes etc. existent in most of countries in the world perform activity of collection, processing and publication of official statistics data and information. Carrying out censuses and statistical surveys represent important complex activities of state statistical institutions. In this context, we propose to remind you the personalities that ran and coordinated, by case, the activity in Romania in the Central Statistical Institution and for the Romanian Statistical Society. Essential content of STATISTICS remains invariably related to on our opinion to practical modalities of investigation of social and economic phenomena and information of state bodies. On the occasion of World Day of Statistics set up for October 20, 2010, according to the Resolution no. 64/267 of UNO General Assembly general topic has an important significance Celebration of progresses registered in official statistics. From the history of Romanian statistics, we refer to some papers, cooperation and collaboration relations, as well as to the participation of experts from official statistics fields at domestic level and at international level in the reunions, seminars, conferences, meetings organized by International Statistical Institute, general assemblies of Statistical Society, and other specialized bodies. We think first of all at a statistical representative paper Descriptio antique at hodierni status Moldaviae elaborated by Dimitrie Cantemir, Moldavian ruler remarkable historian, political man and analyst. Description of Moldavia is known as the first sociological paper from specialized literature, translated into several languages of international circulation. Author Dimitrie Cantemir was one of the first Romanian thinkers who did direct investigations, used statistical data and information he was an adept of descriptive statistics, preoccupying with monographies, and other statistical researches. Elaborating the Catagraphy of Moldavia, Dimitrie Cantemir also did a detailed description of counties. Romanian Statistical Review nr. 10 / 2010

3 It was a monographic exposure representative at geographic, economic and social level, dating from 1716 elaborate for the first time in the Romanian Countries.* Other valuable documents were also carried out after 1800 of which we refer to Register of liuses (persons authorized to set up and cash taxes) in In Bucharest, in 1811, it was done the Catagraphy regarding the skills of craftsmen and tradesmen grouped by categories of fortune and income and 1819 Catagraphy, are both important for the procedures used in the population social stratification in the territory. Other categories had periodicity each seven year in Moldavia. There were also elaborated other important statistical papers of the territory and surveys regarding statistical education being obtained data and information for 1828, and other periods. The last catagraphies were carried out during being replaced by censuses. In the paper Device for the catagraphy of Moldavia the author Ion Ionescu de la Brad ( ) well known economist, statistician and agronomist (leader of Moldavia Statistical Direction) specified about the Census of In the introductory chapter (Statistical elements), he referred to the role of mathematics in statistical methodology, elaborating a system of indicators for the characterization of socio-economic life. From the evolution of statistics in Romania, referring to some of types of evidence and statistics, for various types of registrations we especially present chronological data, organizational and methodological aspects on the censuses. It is known that UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION (UNO) considered very important the population censuses Round 2010 placed under the motto. Each counts Correct and complete data are essential for the steps to improve the people life. At UNO level it was underlined that the censuses present advantages in comparison with other statistical surveys on demographic and socioeconomic phenomena. These total statistical observations are to provide data and information by localities, regions, countries and continents up to world level. On the territory of our country, population and agricultural census of 1838 is considered the first modern statistical census. Statistical investigation was done from a certain moment of reference, with trained staff, state clerks went to the localities, statistical data and * Catagraphies in Romanian Country and Moldavia were also done during for existent counties.

4 information being registered in the forms based on instructions elaborated into a conception assuring clarity and certainty. Population census of 1859/1860 was the first registration simultaneously done in Moldavia and Romanian Country pursuing demographic aspects and economic and social ones. There followed several censuses at certain intervals. General population census of 1899 was noticed in the history of statistics of Romania as a remarkable qualitative work, data and information collected pointing out place and role of statistical surveys in projecting the governance policies of the country. In 1912, another important population census is carried out relying on principles and requirements according to international statistical practice. The census provided data and information regarding number of population and other categories of indicators, needed in the historical context and the country reality from the beginning of the XX th century. It was one of the first statistical surveys at international level by which data and information on dwellings and buildings were obtained. General population census of 1930 was done by statistical territorial services of public administration, as well as statistical offices near prefectures and town halls. It was considered one of the most modern censuses, that period, in the world, being also obtained data and information about ethnical group, mother tongue, religion. General census of 1941 provided data and information of special importance fro authorities regarding demographic situation of the country, economy capacity industry and agriculture that period. At the same time, it was done one of the first censuses on agricultural issues really systematic. It should be pointed out that in Romania total registrations of population census type were organized based on stipulations from various normative documents: decisions, ordinances and official documents issued by state bodies. There were permanently improved the registration programs to carry out the censuses assuring to obtain demographic, economic and social data and information - final data completing the national fund with new series of statistical data permanently required by various categories of users in the country and from international bodies. Since 1838, population registration was carried out, except general censuses of 1930 and There were also registered commercial industrial and agricultural enterprises. At 1941 census, were inventoried dwellings and buildings. In 1948 it was the population and agricultural census, and in 1956 it was another population census. Later on, we refer, in our brief presentation, to the census of 1966 Romanian Statistical Review nr. 10 / 2010

5 a complete statistical survey knowing that there was pointed out exact registrations, as against other works, all the characteristics stipulated in the elaborated program. It was the first census with electronic processing. In the history of statistics of censuses in Romania, the census of 1977 could be considered the most comprehensive from viewpoint of elaboration the system of indicators, program of registration. There were improvements on methodology and organization. For the census, there were used as legal base the stipulations of State Council Decree no. 145//1976 with important specifications. Each registered person was included in a household, making difference from the situation of household head and other demographic, economic and social characteristics. Processing of obtained data was done according to a modern program, being detailed assured the elaboration and editing of an important and comprehensive number of publications (volumes elaborated with final data). The first statistical survey of national interest, of great complexity after the changes of political and social nature taking place at the end of 1989 in Romania was the census of January Carried out on the whole territory of the country simultaneously for population and dwellings the census constituted through the results obtained an important source of data and information needed for multiple economic and social purposes. At the beginning of the millennium the highest statistical survey developed in Romania was the census of March It was an improved program, organization, own registration and a severe program of processing elaborated by experts of the National Institute of Statistics. Government Decisions no. 504/2001 and 680/2001 was on the base of registrations. Preliminary results were presented in the media at short time after ending the works of registration. Final results were published in 2003, being edited several volumes with general data and other specific data. In Romania in the next years, two complex papers are to be carried out: - General Agriculture Census (2010) - Population and Housing Census (2011) To carry out the General Agriculture Census (GAC2010) the legislative framework is stipulated in the Regulation of European Parliament and Council regarding the surveys on the structure of agricultural holdings and survey on method of agricultural production. GAC will be done in Romania each ten years against the last investigation of this type. Data and information collection in the territory will be done during December 2, 2010 January 31, 2011.

6 General Agriculture Census 2010 in Romania is prepared to be carried out collaborating with experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Administration and Interior and territorial institutions, with experts of Eurostat and national offices of statistics from European Union members states. In 2011, in October it is to be carried out the first population and housing census organized after Romania s accession to European Union. Ph.D. prof. univ. Vergil Voineagu, president of the National Institute of Statistics specified recently the following: Following the carrying out of the population and housing census of 2011, Romania will present for the first time by its quality of EU member state to the European Commission data regarding the population, including demographic, social and economic characteristics of persons, family nuclei and households, phenomenon on external migration, as well as characteristics on dwellings and buildings with dwellings. The census will be a complex paper, very valuable of national interest having as legal base several important normative documents such as the Law of organization and functioning the official statistics in Romania (no.226/2009), Government Ordinance no.36/2007, approved with changes by Law no.5/2008, Government Decision no.1502/2009, U.G.O. no.20/2010 changing and completing G.O no.36/2007 approved by the Law no. 144/2010. From the history of Romanian statistics we notice numerous other events and activities taking place at the same time with the statistics development generally. We first refer to statistical education, the first institution of higher education in the country (Academy Mihaileana created in 1834 in Iasi where law and statistics was taught). In 1843, statistics was introduced as compulsory class. Gymnasiums and theological seminars taught statistics being later introduced in analytic program for all categories of secondary schools. It should be remarked that civil documents were elaborated by priests, being their attribution according to the catagraphies of population which represented statistical evidence too at local level used for the censuses. Since 1859, when official statistics was created, statistical education was also reborn. For the census of 1859/1860, it was organized a real training school. The first course of statistics can be considered the paper Elements of statistics issued on the occasion of the census. The creation of probability theory school, related to the name of Octav Onicescu and Gh. Mihoc, marked an important stage in the statistics of Romania. Later statistics was included in analytic program of all commercial schools created in some important towns including Bucharest. After the education reform, statistics was taught at the course of finance science and Romanian Statistical Review nr. 10 / 2010

7 statistics. Since school year 1949/1950, in Romania were as specialized schools the following: statistical medium technical schools in towns Botosani, Caracal, Targu Mures, Timisoara and Bucharest real nurseries of experts, technicians with medium training level. Trained and specialized in statistics, accounting and other classes, pupils and graduates of four years of education took part effectively in various specific actions, the registrations organized by censuses and other current statistical surveys, including at level of households and units providing statistical data and information from various zones of the country. In 1951, in higher education, it was created the Institute of statistical sciences where some series of graduates were trained (economists statisticians), this institute becoming later Faculty of Statistics within ISEP Bucharest. Institute of Economic Sciences and Planning (ISEP) functioned under this name until 1967, becoming Academy of Economic Studies (actual name) including Faculty of Cybernetics, Statistics and Economic Informatics. Statisticians with higher education are also trained in other university centers of Romania. *** In their whole activity, Romanian representatives took part in various working meetings organized at international level, in the statistical field. For instance, participation in 1857 in Vienna, at the works of the International Institute of Statistics (the first congress was in 1853 in Brussels), Romania actively took part in international congresses of statistics, in London, Berlin, Florence, Saint Petersburg, Hague and so on, participation in OECD organization for economic cooperation and development, in Paris, in Statistical Office of European Economic Community and so on. In this context, we refer to important measures and resolutions in various fields of activity adopted by the U.N.O. Created by the charter adopted at the conference of 1945, in San Francisco, the U.N.O. has several main purposes: keeping peace and security; development of friendly relations among nations; international collaboration. U.N.O. was to be a center where states actions were harmonized in order to reach the common targets. In 1955, Romanian became member of this body, which had 76 member states, U.N.O. had 117 members in It coordinated the activity of various specialized institutions, constructively approaching the spirit of the Charter principles, of understanding and peaceful collaboration. In 1964, it organized the Conference for trade and development, adopting numerous recommendations. There were 115 members.

8 Later on, an intensive activity was developed, paying attention to various fields of socio-economic statistics through: Statistical Office of United Nations Socio-economic section (New York), Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, World Health Organization in Geneva, International Labour Organization in Geneva, Economic Commission for Europe in Geneva. Other events taking place in Romania in the field of statistics we point out the following: - On July 23, 1937, it was created the ROMANIAN STATISTICAL SOCIETY, this idea being supported by the leadership of CENTRAL STATISTICAL INSTITUTE of ROMANIAN ACADEMY, by numerous and famous scientific personalities that period. The initiative to create this society as professional-scientific association in the field of statistics belonged to Leonida Colescu, leader of CSI during , member of INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL INSTITUTE since ROMANIAN STATISTICAL SOCIETY created 73 years ago had the purpose (stipulated in the status) to stimulate technical and practical investigators, collaborating to gain interest of public opinion for any statistical research. In the whole period of their activity, members of RSS permanently were in touch both with public services in the country and with similar bodies from abroad, presenting data and information by important statistical papers on the situation and manifestations characteristics to our country, also contributing to the census carrying out. The whole period since the cease of activity, members of Society had an important contribution to public statistics leadership, medium and higher specialized education. Restart of ROMANIAN STATISTICAL SOCIETY activity in the nineties meant the intensification of collaboration between experts in various fields of socio-economic statistics, of statistical theory, demography, mathematics and informatics, among experts in the activity of RSS members. - National Statistical Seminar Octav Onicescu became permanent by organization of presentations and debates for scientific papers of national interest, papers about issues of Romanian statistics integration in European Statistical System. In Romania, along time at central and territorial level took place in official statistics a diversified activity to carry out and maintain the system of statistical indicators, calculation methodologies, statistical data collection, their production and dissemination (from monthly and quarterly statistical surveys, as well as from total statistical surveys: censuses and other special surveys) - Publication of statistical data and information represents an activity of maximum importance. System of statistical publications was improved permanently in content and presentation being adapted to the users requirements. Romanian Statistical Review nr. 10 / 2010

9 - Statistical Annals of Romania the first statistical periodical was created since 1860 (150 years from issue in 2010). They point out statistical importance for governance masterpiece, important articles were presented regarding territory, population, civil documents, agriculture information, trade of Romania and other annual statistical data. Later, the system of statistical publications issued by Central Statistical Institution at territorial level too knew changes by improvement of content, periodicity. At present, there is over one hundred publications, including Romanian Statistical Revue, representing the only one specialized publication in the field of statistical theory and practice. World Statistics Day added a global component for the actions organized at national level by UNO member states, which celebrate each year a day of statistician. Day of statistician in Romania was instituted by the Government Decision. It is organized annually in the second Sunday of July. National Institute of Statistics was authorized to set up the measures imposed to organize and carry out the scientific and cultural manifestations on the occasion of this event. In Romania, after integration to European Union in 2007, a new qualitatively high development stage started in the statistical activity at level of Central Statistical Institution, as well as of country territorial directions and of Bucharest Municipality. It was carried on the activity of adapting the research methodologies to European bodies standards and requirements. It is permanently pursued to improve statistical data and information quality and their credibility. For those 150 years of official statistics in Romania, celebrated in 2009, took place scientific manifestations being pointed out in the internal and international press. Anniversary publications were issued. The new law on organization and functioning the statistics in Romania was issued. Through the Presidential Decree, it was conferred to the National Institute of Statistics the Order Industrial and Commercial Merit as degree of knight.