A census is a census is a census ?

1. A census is a census is a census ? The changing role of population censuses CES Seminar: Challenges for future population and housing censuses based on lessons learned from the last census round

2. What is a census? • A specific operation? • A set of requirements as expressed in the essential features? • Individual enumeration • Simultaneity • Universality within a defined territory • Availability of small-area data • Defined periodicity CES Seminar: Challenges for future population and housing censuses based on lessons learned from the last census round

3. Where should we be heading ? • Focus on coverage • Essential features: individual enumeration, simultaneity, universality within a defined territory • Good coverage of national and regional population is the key objective of censuses  Address cross-border coverage  Assess and maintain coverage of frames also during inter-censual periods CES Seminar: Challenges for future population and housing censuses based on lessons learned from the last census round

4. Where should we be heading ? 2) Make the geo-referencing of population data precise • Essential feature: availability of small-area data • Providing information on small regional entities is a core aim of censuses • But: Causes of socio-economic and environmental phenomena do not follow delineations of administrative areas  Precise geo-referencing of addresses CES Seminar: Challenges for future population and housing censuses based on lessons learned from the last census round

5. Where should we be heading ? • Step up the integration of censuses into social statistics and enhance continuity of census work  For social statistics based on sample surveys: maintain good-quality population frames  For social statistics based on administrative data sources: enhance continuity of quality evaluation of administrative data sources and linkage of data sources  For all social statistics: harmonise specifications and breakdowns for census topics + x  Census as primus inter pares CES Seminar: Challenges for future population and housing censuses based on lessons learned from the last census round

6. Where should we be heading ? 4)Make comparative quality assessments of multi-source/multi mode processes and outputs • The starting point is settled: • The established quality frameworks for official statistics • The essential features of population censuses • Challenges: • Make quality criteria operational • Evaluate output and processes CES Seminar: Challenges for future population and housing censuses based on lessons learned from the last census round

7. Where should we be heading ? 5) Use and develop common tools • Standardisation to foster synergies and efficiency gains • Example: EU Census Hub (SDMX based) • Shared software developments (e.g. validation, dissemination) CES Seminar: Challenges for future population and housing censuses based on lessons learned from the last census round

8. A census is a census is … a lot of work Thank you ! CES Seminar: Challenges for future population and housing censuses based on lessons learned from the last census round