PARIS 21 Census Task Team

Summary Update

September 2001

Background and Purpose

Population and housing censuses provide a foundation for good governance. Population-based data and indicators are crucial for national and local policies, plans and development frameworks. Serious data gaps are inevitable without a recent census.

The purpose of the PARIS 21 Census Task Team, managed by UNFPA, is to consider modalities to improve the funding and management of censuses. It is assessing problems that have arisen in the 2000 census round, from the perspectives of developing countries and donors, and researching into what practical measures can be taken to reduce census costs, and to maximise the timely dissemination and use of census results.

Progess

The PARIS 21 Census Task Team had its first event through a back-to-back meeting with the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Censuses for sub-Sahara Africa at Eurostat, Luxembourg, 26-27 October 2000. The two-day meeting was was attended by some 20 participants: including from sub-Saharan African, donors, Eurostat, the US Census Bureau, PARIS 21 Secretariat, ECA, UNESCO, and UNFPA. A copy of the report of the meeting can be found at: The meeting conclusions were that:

  • Funding constraints are seriously affecting the 2000 census round, especially in sub-Saharan African countries.
  • Given limited budgets available to many Statistical Offices and their limited capacity, there is a continuing need for technical cooperation and assistance, particularly in the poorest countries. New sources of funding will need to be tapped, including from the private sector.
  • Country level activities in support of data collection and statistical capacity building are being undertaken, inter alia, as part of Common Country Assessments (CCAs) and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs). These processes provide an opportunity to promote the value of censuses for poverty assessments.
  • Population censuses are not independent of other types of data collection activities. For example, the development of small area maps for a population census could be used for other censuses and surveys carried out by the statistical organisation.
  • Census provides national Statistical Offices with an opportunity for resource mobilisation; for upgrading staff skills; for innovations through the use of new technologies, for renewing computer hardware and software, and for purchasing vehicles, equipment and supplies – resources that can then be used for other statistical activities once the census is completed.
  • Good advocacy material is essential to persuade finance ministries, line ministries and politicians of the importance of censuses.
  • Donor guidelines on what they are prepared to fund can give rise to costing distortions and inefficiencies, especially when focussed on expensive technology.
  • The use of scanning technology does not necessarily reduce census costs and speed-up data processing. Its use requires experience and should be tested at the pilot census stage. There may also be an opportunity cost since if data entry is carried our on a network of PCs these can be used to increase the capacity of Statistical Offices once census work is completed.

These conclusions were subsequently conveyed to an International Symposium on Population Censuses organised by the United Nations Statistical Division in New York between 7–10 August 2001 in a paper presented by UNFPA entitled: Population and Housing Censuses A Funding Crisis?

Next Steps for Census Task Team

The September 2000 meeting concluded with a strong call by participants for the PARIS 21 Census Task Force to continue its support for census activities and to try to help mobilise additional funding. It recommended the organisation of a follow-up international meeting to systematically review ways of reducing census costs, taking account of lessons learned and good practices. The government of South Africa agreed to host this meeting which will take place in Pretoria, 26-30 November 2001 and will be organised by UNFPA. The objectives will be to:

(i)review developing and transition country experiences in the 2000 round of censuses and identify cost-effective practices and lessons learned at different stages of a census

(ii)consider the cost-effectiveness, including advantages and disadvantages of regional strategies and approaches to census-taking;

(iii) formulate strategies for ensuring stability in census-taking through national commitments, including involvement of the private sector, donors and national and international data users

(iv)identify and develop further alliances, partnerships and networks to enhance national self-reliance in census-taking

(v)identify good practices for disseminating census results in a user-friendly manner.

Expected Outputs

  • A report containing recommendations for strategies to reduce census costs and for helping to ensure census regularity and continuity.
  • Identify a research agenda on issues related to reducing census costs, and
  • A concrete plan for preparing advocacy materials, that will be targeted at national governments, donors and international users, building on any existing efforts.

Timetable and Budget of Future Census Task Team Activities

(i) International Expert Meeting, November 2001, circa $100,000

(ii) Development of Census advocacy materials, June 2002, $25,000

(iii) Commissioned research paper on census costs as background to census Trust Fund proposal September 2002 $12,000

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