Seminar on New Technologies in Population and Housing Censuses: Country experiences Yacob Zewoldi United Nations Statistics Division Side event of the 42 nd session of the Statistical Commission 24 February 2011, New York

Report on the Results of a Survey on Census Methods used by Countries in the 2010 Census Round.. 28 questions on: cartography; methods of enumeration; census evaluation; data processing; data dissemination; and others. 138 out of 233 (59%)countries or areas completed the questionnaires in

102 countries or areas reported employing GPS/GIS technology for the purpose of demarcating enumeration areas, development of maps, and monitoring census field operations. About 80% of the developing countries that responded indicated using this technology. Mapping in censuses.

Mapping in censuses contd Digitized maps are increasingly being used in both developed and developing countries/areas. 109 out of 122 countries or areas (almost 90%) use digitized maps. In particular, 86% of African countries or areas, as well as all countries or areas in Latin America and the Caribbean that responded to the Survey reported the use of GPS/GIS technology for census mapping.

Enumeration. More than 30 countries/areas are providing or experimenting with an option for Internet-based self- enumeration. PDA technology is used for data capture in 13 countries or areas, mainly in Latin America and the Caribbean, mostly in combination with other methods

Dt 67 indicated using optical data capture (OMR, OCR,ICR) methods out of 136 responding countries or areas. Among these, optical data capture is used as a sole method in 29 countries while in the remaining 38 countries it is used in combination with other methods. Data capture.

Dissemination. Almost all countries/areas (132/138) use a combination of print and electronic media for dissemination. 5 developed countries indicated that they ceased disseminate via print publications Most commonly used electronic media of dissemination include: Statistic web pages (95%) countries/areas; CD-ROM/DVD (80%) countries/areas Over 70 (50%) countries use online databases and GIS web-based mapping tools

Assistance required in new technologies A total of 64 countries or areas required assistance on new technologies Assistance required on scanning for data capture, GPS/GIS, use of hand-held mobile technology, using telephones for monitoring and control of field operations, etc.

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