2020 Population and Housing Censuses Methodological Framework Insights

2020 round of population and housing censuses: Methodological Framework and Mid-decade Assessment of Census Approaches Meryem Demirci United Nations Statistics Division

Content UN Methodological framework on population and housing censuses Mid-decade assessment of census approaches Survey results on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on census activities

World Population and Housing Census Programme World Census Programme over six decades 2020 Census Programme, 2015-2024 o ECOSOC approved the 2020 World Census Programme on 5 August 2015 o Urges Member States to conduct at least one census during the round taking into account international and regional recommendations o Underscores need for setting quality standards for reliable and accurate results o Emphasizes the importance of the census for monitoring SDG indicators

UN Methodological framework Principles and Principles and Recommendations, Rev. 3 (2015) Recommendations, Rev. 3 (2015) Handbook on Census Management, Handbook on Census Management, Rev 2. (2016) Rev 2. (2016) NEW NEW Guidelines Guidelines on the Use on the Use of Electronic of Electronic Data Data Collection Collection Technologie Technologie s in s in Population Population and and Housing Housing Censuses Censuses (2018) (2018) NEW NEW Guidelines Guidelines on the use on the use of registers of registers and and administrat administrat ive data for ive data for population population and and housing housing censuses censuses (ECE (ECE 2018) 2018) Handbook Handbook on Editing on Editing for for Population Population and and Housing Housing Censuses Censuses Revision 2 Revision 2 (2019) (2019) Handbook Handbook on on Measuring Measuring Economic Economic Activity Activity (2010) (2010) Revised Revised under E under E- - learning learning course course (2020) (2020) NEW NEW Technical Technical Report Report on Post on Post Enumerat Enumerat ion ion Surveys Surveys (2010) (2010) NEW NEW Handbook Handbook on on Measuring Measuring Internationa Internationa l Migration l Migration through through censuses censuses (2017) (2017) Handbook Handbook on GIS in on GIS in support of support of Census Census Activities Activities (2009) (2009) Under Under review review Technical Technical report on report on Measuring Measuring SDG SDG Indicators Indicators through PHC through PHC and CRVS and CRVS Draft Draft 2020 2020 https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/census/index.cshtml#methods

Mid-decade assessment UNSD launched a mid-round survey on the implementation of the 2020 round of censuses Conducted as part of UNSD`s responsibility to monitor the implementation of the 2020 World Programme Carried out in July September 2019 Short list - 11 questions in total 158 countries replied

Main census methods Traditional census Useof administrative registers 45 countries Registers Fully register based census Combined census (registers + full field enumeration) Combined census -29 countries Combined census (registers + sample survey) Rolling census 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Source: UNSD survey on 2020 round PHCs Response: 158 countries

Main census methods- Regions

About combined census methodology It makes use of registers complemented by a full-field enumeration or surveys Often this approach is adopted in the transition from a traditional to a register based census a long-term project Main purposes are to: Improve the accuracy of the population counts (Coverage) Check, update and improve the quality of census data derived from administrative sources ( Data quality) Provide information for census variables that are not reliable or not available in administrative data Be a linking frame in order to bring together different sources The minimal necessary identifiers are person ID and dwelling/housing unit ID- linked with each other The dwelling/housing unit ID makes use of the address code, which may contain also spatial coordinates

Population base-Regions With the use of population register (a register of residents of the country), it is likely to produce usual resident count

Field base data collection Face-to-face interview PAPI CAPI Self-response paper questionnaire (mailed out/mailed back) Self- response Self-response paper questionnaire (delivered/collected by enumerator) Internet self-response (CAWI) 72% (102 Countries) use CAPI Telephone interview (paper questionnaire) 35% (50 Countries) use CAWI Telephone interview (CATI) Telephone interview (IVR) Not decided yet 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Source: UNSD survey on 2020 round PHCs

Field base data collection-Regions CAPI CAWI CATI

Collection of geographic coordinates No plan to collect GPS coordinates Other Roads and other features Geographic coordinates at building level would be available for 70 percent of the responding countries (110) Building and housing unit location Enumeration area 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Collection of geographic coordinates-Regions

Some remarks Traditional censuses still predominate Increasing use of registers in Europe and Asia Combined approaches for data collection Interview with tablets and paper questionnaire, Self enumeration with Internet and paper questionnaire Growing interest for geocoding of census data Overall, the use of electronic data collection and administrative records has significantly changed the way that censuses are conducted

Surveys on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic UNSD-WB Global survey First wave of the global web-based survey was sent to 218 National Statistical Offices (NSO) in May; Main objective was to collect information on potential disruptions and challenges in the implementation of statistical activities, including the 2020 round of population and housing censuses, due to the COVID-19 pandemic 122 NSOs responded 61 countries planned or have already started field work in 2020 at the time of the survey

Key findings of the global survey Countries that had to postpone or have completed/will complete census preparatory activities (%) About 60 percent of the countries had to postpone preparatory activities 13.6 32.2 44.1 10.2 Yes, had to postpone or cancel most/ALL of the preparatory activities Yes, had to postpone or cancel SOME preparatory activities No, have completed these activities before the COVID-19 arrival No, proceeded / will proceed with these activities in spite of the COVID-19

Key findings of the global survey Countries that had to reschedule the field work due to the Covid-19 pandemic (%) 53 percent of the countries had to postpone their censuses due to the impact of Covid-19 40.0 60.0 Postponed to 2021 or beyond Postponed to later in 2020

Key findings of the global survey Main difficulties in conducting population and housing censuses because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (%) Need to reduce face-to-face interaction 67.2 Mobility restrictions/problems with transportation 50.8 Funding limitations/constraints 37.7 Procurement difficulties 21.3 Personnel not available/ill 13.1 Other difficulties 1.6 No / minor difficulties 14.8 0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100.0

UNSD Website on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on census activities UNSD launched a website to provide information on the pandemic`s consequences on census-taking in the year of 2020 Is the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the conduct of the population and housing census? What are the possible actions that will be undertaken as a result of these adverse impacts? What are the possible actions that will be undertaken as a result of these adverse impacts? Information for 43 countries is available at UNSD website https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/census/COVID- 19/

Main findings Countries which use register-based census are less affected by the Covid-19 pandemic Countries which use traditional census or combined census had to reschedule or suspend field enumeration Actions to reduce the impact of the pandemic: Extending duration of self-interview with the Internet Maximize the use of telephone interview Replacing tablet-based face-to-face interview with paper- based self-interview As a result of social distance, number of training rooms and trainers are increased or virtual training is planned Additional costs associated with the purchase of disinfectants and masks for field staff