1. Challenges of the preparations for the Pilot Census, April 2019 Republic of Macedonia

2. Basic preconditions
The next round of population and housing censuses is scheduled for the start of the new decade (2021), both in the EU and in the partner countries
The State Statistical Office, as the national coordinator of the statistical system in the country, is fully in line with the obligation to conduct the next Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in the Republic of Macedonia in April 2020.

3. Basic preconditions planning preparation testing analysis
Due to its importance and extensiveness, the Census requires extremely careful planning, preparation, testing, analysis and documentation of each phase.

4. Basic preconditions
For many years, in the SSO, consideration has been given to changing the methodological approach for conducting the census from a traditional to a combined census method.
The SSO considered that using the combined method (combination of using register data and full enumeration) is the real option.
Also, the use of technology (laptops), instead of paper questionnaires, will make this operation much more efficient.

5. Why combined census method?
Advantages of using the combined census method:
Reducing the time needed for data collection
Reducing the cost of the census operation
Reducing the time needed for data processing
Final census data in a very short period of time
Much higher quality level of the census data

6. Why combined census method?
All activities of the SSO for preparation of the Pilot Census are directed towards the use of the so-called combined method of conducting a census.
The application of the combined census method imposes certain conditions and solutions that are essential for completion of the preparation process.
The methodology is based on the combination of information obtained in the field via individual enumeration with information of a statistical database containing individual information obtained from various registers and linked using the Personal Identification Number (PIN).

7. Activities carried out for the Pilot Census
During the Twinning Project and IPA 2015 MBP: Assessment of possibilities to use administrative registers as the data sources
Main findings: Existing administrative registers can be used in different stages of the census process!
No adequate conditions for conducting register-based census!

8. Activities carried out for the Pilot Census
The SSO plans to conduct a Pilot Census in April 2019, one year before the Census in April 2020.
The overall aim of the Pilot Census will be to test new ways of data collection and data quality, as well as the applicability of software solutions for the Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in 2020.
To test collected data via personal CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing) method - input and built-in data entry control.
Development of software support for data collection via personal CAPI - input and built-in data entry control.

9. Activities carried out for the Pilot Census
Establishment of management structure for 2020 Census
Appointed Project Team for strategic decisions
Operative working groups are currently being established (WG for legislation issues, IT strategy....)
Methodological and organisational preparatory activities
Harmonisation of methodology with international standards
Defining contents of questionnaires
Creating global plan of activities
Cooperation with the Agency for Real Estate Cadastre concerning the use of GIS technology

10. Activities carried out for the Pilot Census
The Pilot Census will be conducted in 32 enumeration areas, 4 enumeration areas in each statistical region (8 regions) will be covered, 2 urban and 2 rural, i.e. around 3000 households.
The enumeration areas are chosen according to the specifics of the statistical region and the enumeration area itself.
An operational plan for the Pilot Census was prepared.
Review of the Pilot Census questionnaires and adaptation of the questionnaires for CAPI method.

11. Activities carried out for the Pilot Census
The possible administrative sources were identified, and the possibility of using them in terms of availability, content and quality was assessed.
In order to determine the source, i.e. which institution is most suitable for certain data, it has been agreed that each of the competent institutions will provide data from the available databases.

12. Activities carried out for the Pilot Census
To complete this activity, the established agreements / memoranda of cooperation between the SSO and the competent institutions were used as a starting point.
Methodological investigation was made of the content of individual administrative sources (the structure of databases, description of variables, classifications used, harmonisation of concepts from different sources).
As a result of the planned activities, institutions were chosen, whose databases were networked with each other and formed the skeleton of a statistical database on population.

13. Construction of the pre-census database and auxiliary (consulting) databases
Primary
Ministry of Information Society and Administration
Ministry of Interior
Agency for Real Estate Cadastre
Employment Agency
Health Insurance Fund
Pension and Disability Insurance Fund
Secondary
Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
Ministry of Education and Science
Central Registry
Public Revenue Office
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

14. Pre-census database and auxiliary (consulting) databases
Construction of the pre-census database and auxiliary (consulting) databases
Ministry of Information Society and Administration and
Ministry of Interior
as holder of the register of citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.
Pre-census database and auxiliary (consulting) databases
AREC MI
MIO

15. Pre-census database and auxiliary (consulting) databases
Construction of the pre-census database and auxiliary (consulting) databases
Pension and Disability Insurance Fund
which covers all pensioners and employees
Employment Agency
where besides the employees there are also unemployed persons
- job seekers
Pre-census database and auxiliary (consulting) databases
AREC
PIOM AE

16. Pre-census database and auxiliary (consulting) databases
Construction of the pre-census database and auxiliary (consulting) databases
Pre-census database and auxiliary (consulting) databases
SSO
FZO
MON
Health Insurance Fund, where all persons which have health insurance are registered.
Ministry of Education and Science - holder of registers of students in primary and secondary schools.
Available databases from the statistical surveys carried out by the State Statistical Office.

17. Activities carried out for the Pilot Census
Coaching on techniques for data integration and on assessment of statistical accuracy of integrated microdata for pre-census database.
Defining the contents of the pre-census database and auxiliary (consulting) databases.
Simultaneously, SSO experts are involved in the activities at the state level, which is of great importance for conducting the Pilot and the next Census.
Coordination body and WG for upgrading the Address Register.

18. Activities carried out for the Pilot Census
Preparation of Census cartography
Guideline for revision of the territorial units borders is being prepared
For the Pilot Census, the following will be prepared for enumerators:
EA maps in printed and electronic format (as background orthophoto images from 2017)
Description of the EA with list of streets, house numbers, number of entrance (for buildings with more entrances) and ID

19. Activities carried out for the Pilot Census
The Law on the forthcoming Census 2020 (draft version) was prepared and it is completely in line with the Law on State Statistics, respecting the principles of professionalism and independence.
Developing a publicity strategy - for positive attitude of the society toward the census - signed memorandum of understanding with UNFPA.

20. Activities carried out for the Pilot Census
Also, the use of the new combined methodological approach affected the planned activities for the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES). The Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) will not be implemented in the field, but the activities will be directed towards quality assessment of available administrative data sources for census purposes.

21. Future activities
Continuing the assessment of the quality of the available databases that will be integrated into the so-called pre-census database (to complete the documentation for metadata, to assess the coverage and compliance with census definitions). The same topics from different sources must be analysed to obtain indicators of data quality and coherence.
Defining the final contents of the pre-census database.
Establishment of auxiliary (consulting) databases.

22. Future activities
Preparation of the final version and adoption of the Census Law.
Preparation of final census methodological materials and instruments, in accordance with the Census Law, international recommendations and standards.

23. Thank you for your attention!