1. Key issues for the censuses in South East Europe 2011 Fifth TCG Meeting, 01 July 2011, Instat, Institute of Statistics, Tirana, Albania Vebjørn AALANDSLID Eurostat – Unit D1 Statistical Cooperation with European and Mediterranean countries

2. Planning and Management Census law is adopted in all countries except BA, some amendments in AL remain Census budget reported to be covered in all countries, except BA (awaits census law), in AL mostly covered National budget will cover/covered the census in 4 countries (HR, MK, ME, TR), 4 (RS, AL, BA, XK) report EU/international co-funding of their censuses. Pilot censuses performed in 4 countries in 2009 (HR, MK, ME, RS). XK in 2008. AL in spring 2010 (+ tests in 2011). TR in October 2010. All countries report that data confidentiality is ensured either by Statistical Law or Census Law – or both. Plans for Post Enumeration Surveys/Quality measures in place in most countries. AL will develop. RS in last stage. TR will not have PES. PES carried out in 3. Sample size varies. Communication and Outreach campaigns. Average of 3 percent of total budget, range from 0,2 percent in TR to 9 percent XK. All report(ed) detailed activity plans for 2011

3. Census Methodology Census reference date: -31. March 2011: HR, XK, ME. -30 September 2011: MK, RS, AL. -2 October 2011: TR. -BA still uncertain 4 weeks field-work in HR, 3 weeks in AL, 2 weeks in others except TR. XK extended a few days for some municipalities Traditional enumeration in all countries, except TR who will combine register and survey data. Most countries updated maps in summer/autumn 2010, AL in June 2011. TR not utilise maps. All report that questionnaires are/will be available in English. Questionnaires and/or census documents planned to be translated into several languages. Census of Diaspora. XK and BA used/plan to use a supplementary list. RS and AL rely on statistics from other censuses.

4. Census Logistics/IT All report census questionnaires are finalised Regional/municipal census commissions are/will be set up in the coming weeks. Varying plans for hiring of enumerators, varying degree of ensuring minority representation among enumerators. 4 countries plan to use/used OCR (RS, AL, BA, HR), 3 with manual data entry (MK, ME, XK). All countries report preparations for data analysis/ dissemination are in place or in last stage Most countries will participate in Eurostat census hub Dissemination – Publication of preliminary (2-3 months) and final data (1-2 years)

5. Some lessons learnt… More maps and printed in larger format Distribute questionnaires at an early stage to the enumerators Use controllers/supervisors also for data processing Last moment changes can lead to errors.... Hiring of enumerators proved a challenge – criteria to use and few applicants for rural areas Extending census period gave positive results E-mail/mobile phone contact with coordinators Specific census webpage / call centre Positive effect of having forms in several languages To short time to process complaints while hiring enumerators/controllers

6. Thank you for your attention! Questions and comments can be sent to vebjorn.aalandslid@ec.europa.eu