Why do an Economic Census: the case of Uganda The Second International Workshop on Economic Census 6th – 9th July 2009 By Peter Opio Principal Statistician, Uganda Bureau of Statistics, UGANDA

Outline presentation General information on Uganda What do we mean by this term “Census”? Recent history of economic surveys in Uganda Why do the surveys? Conclusions

General information on Uganda A land-locked country in East Africa Capital City: Kampala Population (mid-2009): 31 million Percentage rural: 85% GDP (2008) $440 per capita Staple food: Matoke, Millet flour, Cassava, beans

A View of Kampala City

Map of Uganda within East Africa

What do we mean by a “Census”? Different countries could be having different meanings for the terminology. In the past, a “census” meant complete coverage of all units in the entire country Today, it seems that an economic census may just be a large sample survey. Or perhaps it is limited to formal businesses It is not very clear what we are talking about In this presentation we talk about surveys

Economic Surveys in Uganda The 2001 listing In 2001, every establishment with fixed premises in the country was listed. The main data items collected were location, activity (ISIC) and employment Over 160,000 businesses were listed, the great majority of which had less than 5 employees (87%). At the time, this exercise was seen as the compilation of a comprehensive Business Register, although there was never any possibility of keeping it updated. It was in fact a “Census”.

Economic Surveys in Uganda Con’d The Uganda Business Inquiry (UBI) 2002 The follow-up UBI took place in 2002/03 and consisted of a sample of 4,300 businesses The main data items were accounting data for the year 2000/01. A total of 12 separate questionnaires were designed for the different sectors to take into account the peculiarities in each sector. 10 were meant for large businesses with final accounts, while the other two were for informal businesses without final accounts.

Economic Survey, collecting production data from Fish Company

Economic Surveys in Uganda Con’d The Annual Business Inquiry (ABI) 2008 No further surveys were undertaken until 2008 when the ABI began. It is being processed now. A comprehensive listing was not possible, so the scope of the survey was limited to 3.000 (formal) businesses registered and paying Value Added Tax. The target sample size was 1,500 businesses The main data items were accounting data for the year 2006/07. The same questionnaires were used as for the UBI, with some minor changes. “Annual” does not mean it will be conducted every year. This is because of resource constraints.

Why do the surveys? The results of the UBI were grossed up and used for the following purposes: To update estimates of Total Output, Intermediate Costs and Value Added by activity, among other variables To help benchmark and re-base the GDP To compile a Supply and Use Table (SUT) and a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) To provide data for macro-economic modeling by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development To provide weights for Producer Price Indices and the Index of Production (now being extended to services) As a sampling frame for other economic surveys such as “Private Sector Investment Surveys” and “Innovation Surveys”

Conclusions from our experience The coverage of the word “census” needs clarification so that we know what we are talking about. A repeat of the full 2001 listing is unlikely – it is very expensive. However tax data (Value Added Tax) can be used as a survey frame covering the “formal” sector. Information on informal activity is being captured in the Uganda National Household Survey. Large-scale economic surveys cannot be undertaken every year due to resource constraints. However in Uganda we are trying to exploit VAT data on sales to provide trends in between surveys.

Thank you for your attention

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