| Today, population
censuses are conducted in every country in the Western world. Censuses are very
important, because they are a unique source of information on the size,
composition, and characteristics of the population, even in the smallest
geographical units such as statistical areas. |
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Different countries conduct censuses in
different ways, in accordance with the size and social behavior of their
populations. In most countries, population censuses are conducted once every 10
years. In some countries such as Japan,Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Canada, censuses are conducted more
often, every 5 years. Notwithstanding differences between countries with
regard to the frequency of censuses and techniques in different countries, the
information collected ultimately relates to similar issues. Thus, it is
possible to conduct international comparisons afterwards.
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Over the past few
decades statistical bureaus throughout the world, including in
Israel, have been guided by the
recommendations of the United Nations committees. Those committees are involved
in efforts to develop demographic statistics all over the world. In that
framework, they have been helping various countries define the information that
is essential to them and formulate a basis for international comparisons. Their
recommendations include proposals for various topics of research in censuses, in
an attempt to achieve uniformity in the basic topics investigated throughout the
world, and to provide a basis for comparative research using the census data.
However, other topics of research vary from one country to the next, in
accordance with the needs of different countries. The topics investigated in a
given country aim to enable efficient planning of activities in that country’s
national institutions. In addition, the topics of research aim to enhance
understanding of the behavior of different population groups in a given country
(deriving from the nature of the population, the history of the country, and its
specific socio-economic situation). As such, the topics examined in the census
questionnaire can vary slightly in different countries because they are
determined according to the country’s needs, as well as according to the
availability of information and the amount of financial resources allocated for
the census.
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The
UN recommendations also relate to methodological issues such as data collection
methods, census geography, use of samples at various stages of population
censuses, and data processing methods.
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In recent years,
the use of administrative data for official statistics has intensified. This is
largely due to technological changes, especially in the areas of
computerization, and the expansion of administrative databases. These processes
have opened new options for collection, analysis, and storage of data in
addition to improving data accessibility. Moreover, the need to meet standards
of diversity and expansion of the statistical products in developed economies,
as well as the need to reduce the response burden on participants in those
studies, and the need to reduce the costs of producing statistical data have all
led to the conclusion that it is possible and desirable to make more efficient
use of data found in administrative sources. These trends are also evident in
population censuses.
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Relevant
Links: |
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International
Organizations: |
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UNECE |
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UN
Website |
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UN
Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing
Censuses: |
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Censuses by
Statistical Bureaus: |
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 Australia |
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 United
Kingdom |
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 United
States |
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 Belgium |
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 Germany |
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 Norway |
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