The potential of population and housing censuses is undisputable. Census is the best way to understand the size, composition and characteristics of the population. Despite their potential, census data have not been sufficiently exploited as key data source for development studies and sustainable analysis.
But what is also so important about census data - that it should be useful for local governments and informing local decisions. I am amazed to find how difficult it is to get census data disaggregated down to streets or small areas in low- and middle-income nations. But this is so much more useful for local governments that all the national sample surveys. One of the big mistakes of the international agencies was only to support national sample surveys and not the data that local governments (and other key local actors) need
@Anuj Tiwari , you are right that "Despite their potential, census data have not been sufficiently exploited as key data source for development studies and sustainable analysis". I think, lot of collective efforts are required in addition to human as well as financial resources to acquire census data. It is a large scale activity. The good thing is its importance has been realized now in many countries. But the matter of especially finances is the major bottle neck in developing countries.
Most important data is census time series...time series help for future projection and understand consumption requirement... Hence to decide policy decision..for sustainable developement...
But what is also so important about census data - that it should be useful for local governments and informing local decisions. I am amazed to find how difficult it is to get census data disaggregated down to streets or small areas in low- and middle-income nations. But this is so much more useful for local governments that all the national sample surveys. One of the big mistakes of the international agencies was only to support national sample surveys and not the data that local governments (and other key local actors) need
Population, they say, is both the determinant and consequence of development. As a result, the importance of both population census data and its demographic characteristics can not be downplayed in any development discourse. However in most developing and/or low income countries the process of conducting population censuses has been found to be too expensive and associated with several difficulties. Because of this I am of a slightly different opinion and it is this: While population census data may be important for sustainable development discourse, I find the internal characteristics of the population more useful for planning sustainable development (and this can be obtained through sample surveys). Therefore given the logistical and financial challenges of most developing and low income nations, sample population surveys will be of more value for sustainable development planning for two reasons: 1. That process is more financially and logistically sustainable and can be expanded incrementally for continuous planning; and 2. One does not have to drink the entire soup to get its taste !
Population census is irreplaceable in many cases:
- Taking into account the population at the geographically finest level (that does not allow a sample survey);
- Detailed study of population densities;
- Detailed study of urban population by quarters or blocks;
- Comprehensive study of migration, notably rural-urban migration; etc.
- Finally, establishing of a sampling base for future in-depth sample surveys on specific topics (the other types of sampling bases, such as satellite pictures with areal draw, are less accurate and difficult to implement).
Then, sample surveys enable to conduct specific studies on sustainable development and population-environment issues, through appropriate questions, which census doesn’t allow. Indeed, the census should always be light with the risk of compromising its primary aim of being exhaustive. Thus, population censuses and surveys are rather complementary, and not mutually exclusive.
As David emphasized, national sample surveys generally provide statistically significant data at national level and for some large areas only (such as “rural”/”urban” for example, without even providing data for large cities separately...); this approach is useful to compare countries worldwide. However, these surveys are usually processed for many other purposes, including in numerous academic works, thus improperly; they can be considered as “over-processed.”
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