2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses Final Report March 2009 to February 2010

Transcription

1 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses Final Report March 2009 to February 2010 A. SUMMARY Over the period March 2009 to February 2010, UNSD continued monitoring national census planning and taking activities in order to disseminate information on countries that had conducted a census and also to Identify those that may be experiencing problems and therefore in need of external support. In this connection, the 2010 World programme on Population and Housing Censuses website served as a central point for sharing census experiences, knowledg and promoting census activities worldwide. The website serves as a resource centre b~ providing information and news on census taking worldwide, and also by offering a knowledge base which is a user-friendly repository of technical and methodological documents. During the reporting period, UNSD drafted technical guidelines on census evaluation with focus on the post-enumeration survey. The overall objective of these guidelines is to provide methods of census evaluation for use by countries to evaluate the quality of their census results. UNSD also conducted three regional training workshops QO c~nsus evaluation using these guidelines as the main reference materlai. UNSD also published the Technical Report on Census Data Capture Methodology and the Handbook on Geospatial Infrastructure In Support of Census Activities. UNSD, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA, has developed a software, CensusInfo for use by countries to disseminate their census data In a timely manner and also to enhance the utility of the results. CensusInfo was officially launched for national use to disseminate census results. During the period under review, UNSD conducted three regional and two national on-site training workshops on the use of CensusInfo for the dissemination of census results. During the period under review, UNSD provided, and also sponsored experts to provide, technical assistance to countries aimed at enhancing national capacity in the area of censuses. ifhe Division also sponsored study visits to facilitate exchange of good practices among untries. B. EXPECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2009 The expected accomplishments for 2009 are as follows: EAl EA2 EA3 Increased progress by countries in conducting population and housing censuses; and in disseminating information on census activities and on national practices in census methodology; Increased progress in developing guidelines and technical materials pertaining to the different stages of a census; and Increased progress by countries in planning and carrying out a census and in disseminating the census results in accordance with the United Nations Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing censuses and other relevant accompanying guidelines

2 C. REVIEW OF IMPACT AND ACTIVITIES Expected Accomplishment 1 (EA1) Results/Impact achieved for EA1 Increased progress by countries in conducting population and housing censuses; and in disseminating information on census activities and on national practices in census methodology During the reporting period, UNSD continued monitoring national census planning and taking activities and made the information available on the website of the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses. Over the period March to December 2009, 13 countries or areas conducted a census for the 2010 round. This information was used to update the "census clock" to show the cumulative number of countries that have already undertaken a census for the 2010 round. The website of the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses served as a centre for exchange of knowledge and sharing of experiences on census activities throughout the world. Between March 2009 and February 2010, this resource centre was extensively consulted as follows: Indicators: - 34,374 visits on the 2010 world programme website - 18,044 visits to Knowledge Base - 57 country news posted on the website - 2 issues of the Newsletter published Al Monitoring of country activities related to censustaking Country census profiles were continuously updated based on information collected from countries through s and telephone contacts or through the UN regional commissions or other agencies such as UNFPA. A major goal of the 2010 World programme on Population and Housing Censuses is to ensure that every country or area conducts a population and housing census at least once in the decade In order to identify countries or areas that are experiencing problems and in need of assistance, monitoring mechanisms have been put in place. Between March 2009 and February 2010, the Division continued the monitoring, on a continuous basis, of implementation of the census round in terms of countries that have conducted a census as well as those that have postponed their censuses. Through various mechanisms 13 countries or areas were identified as having conducted a census for the 2010 round during the period under review. A2 Disseminate The 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Census information on Programme website is a repository of continuously updated information census activities on census-related activities in the world. The website presents via the 2010 World continuously updated census news on national, regional and Population and international activities related to the 2010 census round; information on Housing Census actual and planned dates of national censuses; meetings and Programme workshops; and websites of National Statistical Offices and International Website and Organizations. Newsletter Information on census related activities continued to be regularly updated. During the review period, fifty seven (57) news items on national census related activities were posted on the Programme website. In addition, 2 issues of the Newsletter were produced during the review period and sent to national contacts. 2/9

3 A3 Presenting regularly updated information on progress in census taking A4 Update and maintenance of Country Census Profiles and Questionnaires Database Between March 2009 and February 2010, there were 34,374 visits to the website of the 2010 World Population and Housing Census Programme. Through communication with countries and other channels, UNSD collects information on national implementation of the 2010 round of censuses. This information is collected partly to present progress in the implementation of the census round, and partly also to identify countries that may not be able to conduct a census in the 2010 census round. Information on the number of countries that have carried out a census during the 2010 round as well as the corresponding estimated population that has already been enumerated during the round is presented in the form of a "Census Clock". During the period March to December 2010, 13 countries or areas carried a census and this information was used to update the clock. By the end of February 2010, 78 countries representing 21 0 /0 of the total world population had already conducted a census as part of the 2010 census round. The database consists of metadata information relating to the census and the questionnaire(s) used, as well as details of questions that were asked and the corresponding answer categories. The census questions in the metadata database are organized according to the topics in the Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses and as such, the database is a crucial resource to assist national census takers in developing content and basic methodology for the census. Work on the development of the database on country profiles, standards and metadata continued during the period under review. By the end of February 2010, the database contained the following information: 2000 round: 203 countries or areas which conducted a census resulting in 238 censuses, with 194 censuses for which questionnaires were completely or partially entered into the database. All questions for questionnaires that were available in English were entered and classified according to the topics in the Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses (most of them verbatim too) round: Seventy-eight (78) countries or areas which have already conducted a census, resulting in 80 censuses. Sixty-four censuses for which questionnaires were available were entered in the database. The database has already been extensively used: (a) to generate questions on selected topics; (b) to answer queries on environment statistics, migration, ethno-characteristic and disability; (c) in the revision of the Handbook on Migration; and (d) by countries for the preparation of their census questionnaires. Expected Accomplishment 2 (EA2) Resu Its/Impact achieved for EA2 Increased progress in developing guidelines and technical materials pertaining to the different stages of a census During the reporting period, the Technical Report on Post Enumeration Surveys: Operational Guidelines was drafted. The guidelines on census evaluation were used as a reference and training material developed from them for use in three regional workshops on census evaluation that were conducted by UNSD in 2009 (see A10). 3/9

4 Also, the Handbook on Geospatial Infrastructure in Support of Census Activities was published. The Handbook is a technical guide on contemporary methods, tools, and best practices for use by census planners to support national census mapping operations. Furthermore, technical material on different aspects of census taking was continuously posted on the Census Knowledge Base. By the end of February 2010, the Knowledge Base contained 382 documents and during the review period, its website had 18,044 visits. AS Preparation of methodological guidelines and training materials Censuslnfo, which was officially launched at the Statistical Commission for national use to disseminate census results, was widely disseminated and also used in three regional training workshops as well as in two national training conducted by UNSD in During the reporting period UNSD drafted Technical Report on Post Enumeration Surveys: Operational Guidelines. The Technical Report presents an overview of various methods of census data evaluation with emphasis on the methodology for planning and carrying out a postenumeration survey. (PES) It highlights issues to be taken into account in the implementation of a PES as well as challenges and how they can be mitigated. The Manual was used as a reference and training material developed from it for use in three regional workshops on census evaluation that were conducted by UNSD in 2009 (see A10). In order to build knowledge on the vast amount of information presented and collected during the UNSD-organized workshops on census data capture (2008), the Division prepared the Technical Report on Census Data Capture Methodology. The technical report, which has been widely distributed to countries, is intended to be used by countries in the planning of their next population and housing census. A6 Document new methodologies and elaborate on preconditions and -,!ortability A6 Distribution and promotion of the revised UN Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses and Handbooks The Handbook on Geospatial Infrastructure in Support of Census Activities was also published during the period under review. This Handbook takes into account recent technological developments in the area of geographic information to develop a technical guide on contemporary methods, tools, and best practices for use by census planners to support national census mapping operations more efficiently. Documents on new census methodologies, including use of registers, the American Community Survey, the French rolling census and the Turkish new register based census, continued to be posted on the Knowledge base during the reporting period. The printed English version of the United Nations Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses continued to be widely distributed to national statistical offices particularly as part of a core set of census guidelines that were given to participants at all UNSD workshops that were held during the review period. During the reporting time, these census recommendations were also published in print form in both Russian and Arabic. Translation 4/9

5 A7 Development and maintenance of a knowledge base on the internet A8 Development of a software package for census dissemination: Census Info continued into the remaining three official languages of the United Nations. The knowledge base is a comprehensive facility that provides technical documentation for census takers. This knowledge base includes the United Nations Principles and Recommendations and other handbooks for use by l\iational Statistical Offices in the planning, execution and dissemination phases of their population and housing censuses. The knowledge base also presents documents produced by countries or experts for seminars or for their national use. During the reporting period, information on census activities was updated continuously and new documents included into the knowledge base. By the end of February 2010, there were 382 documents in the Knowledge Base which got 18,044 visits during the period March 2009 to Februa_ry UNSD, in partnership with UNICEF and UNFPA, has developed a software package, CensusInfo, to help countries disseminate census data on CD-ROM and on the website. A list of tables and indicators is being proposed with the Censuslnfo software but with the flexibility for countries to customize the list. Censusulnfo allows generation of reports displaying census results at any geographical level, and also with mapping and graphing facilities. CensusInfo was officially launched at the 40th session of the UN Statistical Commission in February 2009, thereby having it ready for national use. Since the launch, the Censuslnfo software has been widely disseminated. Furthermore, during the review period, UI\ISD conducted five workshops on the use of CensusInfo as follows: three regional workshops, and in-house training in two countries. See also A10. A9 Updating UNSD population and housing census data At the 41st session of the UN Statistical Commission in February 2010, UNSD organized a Training Center session on CensusInfo. The objective of the session was to present examples of countries that are using CensusInfo to disseminate the results of their population and housing census and to provide a discussion forum on its facilities to improve the quality of dissemination of census results. For the 2008/2009 data collection round new and revised data were obtained for approximately 150 countries/territories. These data were published in the Demographic Yearbook 2007 in August During the first half of 2009, the Demographic Statistics Section's data cleaning efforts resulted in the release of 3.3 million records into UNData, which makes Demographic Statistics the second largest contributor to this data portal. A second release to UNdata of over 3.4 million Demographic Statistics records was performed in November The UNSD Demographic Statistics Section continues to be the second largest contributor to the UNdata portal. The Section conducted a major census data collection of 2000 and 2010 rounds of censuses. The population census questionnaires on general characteristics and on economic characteristics, as well as the housing census questionnaire were sent to countries in November These questionnaires were sent to all countries that conducted a 2000 round 5/9

6 . Expected Accomplishment 3 (EA3) Results/Impact achieved for EA3 census, and to all countries that had already conducted a 2010 round census. Increased progress by countries in planning and carrying out a census and in disseminating the census results in according with the United Nations Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses and other relevant accompanying guidelines Between the period l"larch 2009 and February 2010, UNSD carried out six regional workshops, three on census evaluation and three on the use of the CensusInfo software for census data dissemination. In addition, the Division conducted two national on-site technical training on developing national CensusInfo databases. Altogether, about 195 participants from national statistical offices got trained. During the period under review, UNSD provided technical assistance including conducting a m'ission aimed at enhancing national capacity to disseminate and utilize census data. UNSD arranged for and financed two experts to provide technical assistance as shown in A12, and also prepared for and financed study visits as shown in A13. A10 Training During the review period, UNSD conducted a series of workshops on workshops on census evaluation and the use of the post enumeration surveys, and topical technical also on the use of CensusInfo for the dissemination of census results: issues and - Regional workshop on census evaluation and use of the postselected enumeration survey for Latin American countries (August 2009) population - Regional workshop on census evaluation and use of the postenumeration survey for English-speaking African countries (September 2009) - National training on the use of CensusInfo for Liberia (October 2009) - Regional workshop on the use of CensusInfo for countries of the CARICOM region (October 2009) - Regional workshop on the use of CensusInfo for English-speaking African countries (November 2009) - National training on the use of CensusInfo for Mozambique (November 2009) - Regional workshop on the use of CensusInfo for French-speaking African countries (November 2009) - Regional workshop on census evaluation and use of the post enumeration survey for French-speaking African countries (December 2009) At these workshops, about 195 participants, mainly from national statistical offices got trained. All Expert group No expert group meetings were organized during the review period. A meetings on planned expert group meeting on census data dissemination was selected topical deferred to issues in census taking A12 Technical During the reporting period, UNSD provided technical assistance to the assistance Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) to missions identify census indicators and to enhance the technical capacity of the staff to implement the CensusInfo software for census data dissemination. 6/9

7 The Division also prepared terms of reference for two consultants to provide technical assistance to the Senegal Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Demographie (ANSD), one on census mapping and the other on census data processing. The technical assistance missions took place in March 2010 and will be reported in more detail in the 2010 report. A13 Study visits In addition, UNSD provided technical support through numerous electronic mail exchanges with countries. During the reporting period, UNSD prepared terms of reference for two study visits - one by staff of the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (Brazil) to the Office for National Statistics of the United Kingdom; and the other by a staff member of Statistics South Africa to provide assistance to the Mauritius Central Statistics Office. In February 2010, UNSD sponsored a study tour for two staff members of the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica to the UK Office for National Statistics to exchange on methodologies and practices used for the evaluation of the coverage of the Census. The mission of South Africa to Mauritius took place in March/April 2010 and will be reported in the next report. D. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED No specific problems were encountered during the period 7/9

8 .. Annex 1 - Logical Framework Intervention logic Indicators of Source of verification programme impact Objective: The implementation of the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses in developing countries EAi Increased prog ress by countries in conducting population and housing censuses; and in disseminating information on census activities and on national practices in census methodology; Number of census country profiles Reporting of progress made in census taking and reporting of census results on the UNSD website Number of censusrelated news items reported on the UNSD website Country profiles Hit rates to 2010 World Population and Housing Censuses Programme Website Hit rates to 2010 World Population and Housing Censuses Programme Website Related activities: Ai Monitoring of country activities related to census-taking A2 Disseminate information on census activities via the 2010 World Population and Housing Censuses Programme Website and Newsletter A3 Present regularly updated information on the UNSD website on progress in census taking A4 Update the country census profiles and questionnaires database EA2 Increased progress in Number of reference Reference and technical developing guidelines and and technical materials materials technical materials produced and initiated pertaining to the different stages of a census; Utilisation of the Hit rates to 2010 World Resource centre Population and Housing Censuses Programme Website Related activities: AS Preparation of methodological guidelines and training material A6 Distribution and promotion of the revised United Nations Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Census, Rev.2 and handbooks A7 Development and maintenance of a knowledge base on the internet AS Development of a software for census data dissemination: Census Info A9 Updating UNSD population and housing census data 8/9

9 . EA3 Increased progress by countries in planning and carrying out a census and in disseminating the census results in accordance with the United Nations Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing censuses and other relevant accompanying guidelines; Related activities: Percentage of participants that gave positive feedback as a result of training workshops and study visits Number of Advisory missions Responses to evaluation questionnaires Follow up of workshops A10 Training workshops on topical technical issues in census taking and on selected topics of population censuses All Expert group meetings on selected topical issues in census taking A12 Technical assistance missions A13 Study visits 9/9