The 2000 round of Censuses – A review of major issues

Abstract

The paper considers some of the strategic issues confronting national statistical institutes (NSIs) as they prepare for the 2000 round of censuses. The pace of technological change, more than at any time in the past, will have enormous implications for how NSIs collect, process and disseminate census information. The decision whether to adopt an incremental or “big-bang” approach to the introduction of increased technology in some or all phases of the census operation will, therefore, present a major challenge.

The delivery and collection methodologies in use for census questionnaires have undergone critical reappraisal in a number of countries in the course of recent censuses. Greater consideration is being given to the use of mailing rather than delivery and collection by enumerators.

The predominant method of data capture used in censuses up to and including the 1990 round was to key the information directly to disk. Most NSIs are now turning to the use of scanning and recognition technology, given the potential this offers to streamline processing systems. Issues concerned with the use of automatic coding techniques are also reported on. These are particularly relevant in the context of the greater use of scanning and recognition technology.

Finally the paper deals with what is considered to be the major challenge facing statistical organisations for the next round of censuses i.e. the timely provision of accurate results. Without exception, users are calling for the results of censuses to be made available more quickly and in a more flexible fashion than before. The dissemination area is therefore the one where gains in technology will be most conspicuous to the public.