Register based census - the way to make census operations more efficient in Estonia

Register based census -
the way to make census
operations more efficent
in Estonia
by Diana Beltadze

Population and Housing Census 2011
Transforming the Census - to 2021 and

PHC 2011: methodology
For the first time in Estonia, PHC 2011 used a combined
methodology for the census.
 Use of registers:
1. In the preparation of the census;
2. In the conduct of the census;
3. In the processing of census data.
 e-Census
 Interview census
The room coordinates of each residential building were
determined using GPS
beyond

New dimensions
 Using data sources – some data was taken from
registers and not asked from respondents
personally, some data was asked personally.
 Response method – self-enumeration, personal
interview and proxy interview were used at the same
time.
 Response technology – via internet and using
computers, paper questionnaires were prepared as
backup in order to reduce risks.

Authentication channels
beyond

Start and end of the completion of
personal questionnaires
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
Algus Lõpp

Interview census by enumeration area
(2000)
beyond

Data collection
process during the last census

Progress of the interview
census
 The enumerators were on schedule:
23.02 – 8 % 11 %
01.03 – 30 % 38 %
08.03 – 60 % 66 %
29.03 – 100 % 99 %
 Officially, there were 32
people who refused to be
interviewed.
Transforming the Census - to 2021 and beyond

Lessons learned from PHC 2011 (I)
 Too many levels in the census organisation.
 On this scale, the technical systems may not always
work properly (e.g. varying level of Internet
connection in Estonia).
beyond

Results
 Under-coverage among enumerated permanent
residents is 3%.
 For individual parameters, coverage was at least
99%.
 The census was carried out in a positive atmosphere
and the residents were very involved.
 About 67% of the enumerated persons completed
the census online.
beyond

Roll of media and social media
 The public campaign was deeply integrated and
coordinated with the data collection activities. A special
awareness survey was launched about a year before
actual data collection started. Based on that survey, the
PR activities were corrected and targeted.
beyond

Timetable for Census works and
main streams for the next round
2018
IIPILOT
Census activities
2021-2022
2016
IPILOT
1. Development register-based census
methodology.
2. Specification, design and
development of software
and standards to support
statistical production.
3. Set up the organisational
structures and procedures according the needs
of harmonised population statistics
4. Develop a software system for
the implementation of big data
and its estimation methods
Census preparatory works
2010-2020
beyond

Using administrative data - general
background in Estonia
 State information system (RIHA)
 Which are the information systems and databases that
make up the state’s information system;
 Which data are collected and processed and in which
information systems;
 Which services, incl. X-Road services, are provided and
who is using them;
 Who are the responsible and authorised processors of
the information systems and databases, and who are the
contact persons;
 On which legal basis are the databases operated and the
data processed;
 The reusable components that ensure the interoperability
of information systems (XML assets, classifications,
dictionaries and ontologies.
beyond

Registers and connections
Educational Register
Unemployed & Jobseekers
Taxable Persons
Pension Insurance
Other Registers
Population
Register
Commercial
Register
Business Register
Government
Institutions
Building
Register
Land Register
red line – personal ID,
blue line – enterprise ID
green line – address
object ID,

Registers

Using administrative data - general
background from the legal aspect
 Official Statistics Act - all data collected in administrative
databases is available to SE for producing official statistics
 Public Information Act - establishing separate databases
for the collection of the same data is prohibited in Estonia. The
more the data are used for different purposes, the better the
quality due to stricter and more continuous checking
 Spatial Data Act - all state and local government databases
have to be integrated with the central Address Data System
(ADS), unique identification of the address objects
beyond

Main problems
1. Usual residence:
 Addresses are not accurate – people do not report
their real address
2. Missing (almost) completely:
 Occupation
 Place of work (local units)
3. Incomplete coverage
 Dwellings – Building register does not include all
dwellings
4. Quality problems
beyond

List of administrative registers
Short name Register name
RR Population Register
ETR Register of Residence and Work Permits
EHIS Estonian Education Information System
MKR Register of taxable persons
TOR Register of Employment
EHR Estonian Register of Buildings
KR Land Register
ARIREG Commercial register
RKOARR State Register of State and Local Government Institutions
STAR Social Services and Benefits Registry
KIRST Health Insurance Information System
KVKR National Defence Obligation Register
PKR Estonian National Pension Insurance Register
TKIS2 (EMPIS) Estonian Unemployment Information System
KIR Register of Prisoners
KPR (KOPIS) Register of Mandatory Funded Pension
ADS Address Data System
e-toimik E-file system
KMAIS Identity Documents Database
liiklusregister Estonian Traffic Register
SAP The State Human Resources Database

Methodology project
Assessment: core characteristics
Compliance to
census standard
Number of
characteristics
Non-derived characteristics
A. Complete
compliance
4 (14%) Gender, age, country of birth, country of
citizenship
B. Partial
compliance
4 (14%) Current activity status, status in employment,
type of living quarters, floor space/number of
rooms
C. Limited
compliance
17 (61%) Education, legal marital status, place of
usual residence, previous place of usual
residence one year prior to the census, ever
resided abroad and year of arrival in the
country, relationships between household
members, tenure status of households, 10
housing characteristics
D. Not available 3 (11%) Occupation, location of place of work (local
activity unit), industry (local activity unit)

Current stage for Census
characteristics (algorithms)
 Population estimates (residency index)
 Households and families (household-dwelling
concept)
 Housing characteristics
 Population characteristics
 All algorithms (except occupation and place of work)
will be created during the Pilot Census 2016
beyond

Residency index - determining
permanent residency status using
registers in Estonia
 General idea: It can be assumed that the people
who actually live in Estonia are represented in other
administrative registers because they are using
services and receive payments
beyond

Signs of life – activity in registers
In total 2015 we had 27 signs of life
1) Estonian Population Register (marriages, divorces)
2) Estonian Education Information System (students, teachers)
3) Social Services and Benefits Registry
4) Health Insurance Information Database
5) National Defence Obligation Register
6) Estonian National Pension Insurance Register
7) Estonian Unemployment Information System
8) Register of Residence and Work Permits
9) E-file system (crime documents, court documents etc)
10)Estonian Traffic Register (Changes of driver’s licenses, changes of
vehicles)
11)Register of Employment
12)Register of Identity Documents
13)Estonian Medical Prescription Center
14)The State Human Resources Database
beyond

Achievement
 Residency index - new methodology for determining
permanent residency status using registers
 01.01.2016 Estonian official population is calculated
by this new methodology
beyond

PR, official and residency index
population
1 280 000
1 290 000
1 300 000
1 310 000
1 320 000
1 330 000
1 340 000
1 350 000
1 360 000
1 370 000
1.01.2012 1.01.2013 1.01.2014 1.01.2015 1.01.2016
PR
Residency index
Official

Data quality
 The primary data in the databases are required to meet
the quality requirements in order to guarantee that
census objectives are fulfilled.
 Quality is indicated by the following:
1. The coverage of the registers needs to be at least 97%
for the population and 95% for single characteristics;
2. 95% of the data need to be linked with the classifications
registered in RIHA (Administration System for the State
Information System).
beyond

Limitations
 Register data is collected for administrative
purposes:
 conceptual mismatch: definitions, classifications
 may be not compatible with statistical standards
 incomplete coverage: not all groups, statuses,
events may be (fully) covered by registers
 inavailability of variables: not all variables may
be available from registers (e.g. self-defined
statuses)
 Control and responsibility (NSI register holders)
beyond

What we have today?
 Decision to move towards register-based census
 Legislation:
 availability of administrative data for statistical
purposes
 mandatory use of Address Data System
 collection of the same data by different
agencies/registers is forbidden
 Methodological framework
 Resources are allocated in order to improve the
administrative registers
 Statistical registers are being developed
beyond

A new challenge!
 Preparing for a register-based census takes
undoubtedly a lot of work, because a register-based
census is not an aim in itself, the aim is to obtain a
dataset with sufficient quality.
 We have analysed the impediments and
prerequisites of switching to a register-based
census. How to solve the problems and tackle the
hurdles will need to be figured out in the next few
years. Learning from the lessons of other countries –
both good and bad – is very important
beyond

Conclusion
 REGREL video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VFw3VfHSb4&list=PLuv
Q8YOPmhujbKMb1p3uGRNweyf_-FBIr
beyond

Thank You!

Register based census - the way to make census operations more efficient in Estonia

More Related Content

What's hot

Similar to Register based census - the way to make census operations more efficient in Estonia

More from Office for National Statistics

Recently uploaded

Register based census - the way to make census operations more efficient in Estonia