UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE
PACIFIC (ESCAP)STATISTICAL INSTITUTE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (SIAP)
andDepartment of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM)Country Course on Population and Housing Censuses: International
Recommendations and Use of Emerging Technologies and Methodologies
14 October – 18 October 2019, Perak, Malaysia
Concept NoteI. Introduction:
The population and housing census is often considered the most important statistical
exercise conducted in a country. It provides fundamental information for monitoring the2030 Agenda on a wide range of indicators by small geographic areas and populationgroups. For some countries, it may be the only source of information for certain official
statistics and SDGs indicators. It also provides a framework to develop sampling frames
for other statistical surveys. The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda provides acomprehensive framework that integrates economic, social, environmental andinstitutional issues. Due to this integrative nature, countries need to use multiple sourcesof data in order to meet the challenges of data compilation and monitoring demands
emanating from the 2030 Agenda.

The population and housing census is complex and resource intensive operation.
Countries increasingly explore alternative approaches and technologies to address risingcosts of census operation while ensuring efficiency, data quality and timeliness of thecensus data. Many countries explore the possibility of combining census withadministrative data so that they can meet the demands for statistics in moredisaggregated levels and more frequent basis. In the 2010 census round, we have alreadyseen many countries adopting electronic data collection technologies (tablets, PDAs, theInternet and other technologies) for census operation. Even though there are challenges
in adopting these alternative methodologies and technologies, such trends seem tocontinue for future census taking operations.

At the regional level, there is a growing need for improving capacity of countries in
producing population statistics by combining censuses with administrative data. The AsiaPacific statistical community acknowledged the importance of producing population
statistics by combining censuses and administrative data for SDGs monitoring, which isreflected in the Collective Vision endorsed during the ESCAP Committee of Statistics in2016.

In this context, the current training will focus on the latest developments in alternative
methodologies, use of technology in census operations, review of revised international
census recommendations and estimation of key demographic indicators to illustrate theeffective use of census data in producing key official statistics.

II. Objectives:
1. To identify the benefits and challenges of integrating administrative data incensuses
2. To improve practical knowledge in the basic requirements for structuring asystem to produce register-based population statistics
3. To identify the benefits and challenges of using electronic data collection
technologies in censuses
4. To enhance the understanding of the latest revisions of international
recommendations on basic concepts and methodologies of census operations
5. To strengthen skills in using demographic estimation methods for producing key
official statistics from censuses

III. Target audience:
This country course is designed for middle level statisticians engaged in (1) the collectionof population data and production of population statistics, and/or (2) collection of datafrom administrative sources for the purpose of producing population statistics in Malaysia.
A total number of approximately 15 participants will be invited.

IV. Course design and contents:
The training course consists of lectures, presentations, discussion sessions and hands-on
exercises. Participants are expected to provide insights and share their knowledge on thecensus taking operations and compilation and dissemination processes of their countries
among participants. Country experience and examples will have a great part in thecontent.
The training course will cover the following topics:
•••••
••

Assessment of 2010 Round of population and housing censuses
Overview of revised UN principles and recommendations for population andhousing censuses
Planning, organizing and management of census operations
Case studies on country practices of conducting register based censuses
Register based census: pre-requirements, methodologies and caveats
Use of technology in census operations: motivations, challenges, data collection
issues related to multi-modal system
Demographic estimation from censuses: migration and period total fertility rate

V. Pre-course requirements:

Participants to the course need to have:•••

Participants are encouraged to bring sample census data* for hands on exercise(estimating period total fertility rate (TFR) from sample census).
* Guidelines on the variables and format of the data will be provided in a separate
document.
Knowledge of basic elements of census operations;
Each country is requested to make presentations on their national experiences infollowing topics:(1) national planning, organization and management of census operations either
in 2010 or 2020 census rounds(2) using electronic data collection technologies in census in 2010 or plans for2020 census round