Abstract

Jamaica conducted its Fourteenth Census of Population and Housing in 2011. Under the provisions of the Statistics Act, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is vested with the authority to conduct any census in Jamaica. The census plays an essential role in all elements of the national statistical system, including the economic and social components. Census statistics are used as benchmarks for statistical compilation or as a sampling frame for household sample surveys. The national statistical system of almost every country relies on sample surveys for efficient and reliable data collection. Without the sampling frame derived from the population and housing census, the national statistical system would face difficulties in providing current reliable official statistics.

While recognizing the importance of the census however, countries are faced with serious resource constraints. Census taking in Jamaica faces not only the challenge of limited resources but an apathetic public which views official data collection with suspicion and even hostility. Despite a vibrant publicity programme for Census 2011, the level of cooperation particularly in some urban centres was disappointing. Worker attitude also presented problems as in a number of cases workers had to be relieved of their duties due to poor and or unproductive work. There was not always sufficient recognition of the fact that remuneration was for work done.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

• Individuals;
• Household.

Universe

The 2011 census, like all since 1943, was conducted on a 'de jure' basis. The 'de jure' count includes all persons, Jamaicans and non-Jamaicans whose usual place of residence was in Jamaica even if they were temporarily (less than six months) abroad at the time of the census.

The following groups were excluded: (i) All Jamaicans (including diplomatic personnel) who were away from the country for six months or more; (ii) All visitors to Jamaica who are usual residents of other countries; and (iii) All foreign diplomatic personnel located in Jamaica.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

The census design included a Post Enumeration Survey planned as a coverage assessment tool. The Post Enumeration Survey was conducted during the period September 7-30, 2011 in all parishes and covered a 5 per cent sample of census EDs. A total of 286 EDs were eventually canvassed.

Jamaica was divided into 5,776 geographic units called enumeration districts (EDs) for the purpose of data collection during the 2011 Population and Housing Census. Each ED is an independent unit which shares common boundaries with contiguous EDs. The number of dwellings/households contained in the ED (estimated before the census) was the primary determination of the size of an ED. This was approximately 150 dwellings/households in urban areas and 100 in rural areas. Each ED was designed to be of a size that would ensure an equitable work load for each census taker, and because dwellings are more widely spaced in rural areas than in urban areas, rural EDs usually contained fewer dwellings/households than their urban counterpart. When grouped together, enumeration districts reconstitute larger divisions; special area, constituency and the parish.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

One questionnaire was developed for use in the census to collect information from individuals and one for households. The topics included on the census questionnaire were as follows:

Individual: - Age - Sex - Relationship to Head of Household - Religious Affiliation - Ethnic origin - Marital and Union Status - Educational Attainment - Physical and Mental Limitations - Birthplace and Residence - Training - Economic Activity and Social Welfare - Fertility - Transportation - Information and Communication Technology.

Household: - Type of Unit - Material of outer walls - Material of Roofing - Number of rooms - Tenure of Land and Dwelling - Availability and Type of Kitchen, Bathroom and Toilet Facilities - Method of Disposal of Solid Waste - Source of Water for Domestic Use - Source of Drinking Water - Type of Lighting - Type of Fuel used for Cooking - Availability of Telephone and other Communication Devices and facilities - Migration and Mortality.

Cleaning operations

The data collecting method utilised was the "interviewer Method" One census taker was assigned to each enumeration district (to be defined) to list every building in the area assigned. Where the building was found to be the living quarters of an individual or a group of individuals the form was completed for each household and each person. Each census taker worked with a household form and an individual form. Consideration was also given to the enumeration of persons who live in institutions as well as persons who were located on the streets and this was taken into account in the design.

The processing of the census returns is a massive undertaking for which STATIN sought to utilize modern technology for this phase. The data processing of the questionnaires was out-sourced to XSOMO International Ltd., who was required to produce the electronic data in a database format and images of the questionnaires. Scanning of the forms which began in June 2011 ended on January 31, 2012. The data editing and cleaning were done using software developed internally and shared via the intranet. The validity and consistency checks which followed have been completed for those variables which have been included in this report. A full and clean database, from which tables on all census topics will be produced, is expected by December 2012.

Abstract

The first Agricultural Census was conducted in 1962 and then in the censuses of 1972 and 1982. Since Spain’s accession as a full member to the European Community on 1 January 1986, the INE, the country's national statistics institute, joined the Community programme of surveys on the structure of agricultural holdings. The programme requires the dates of the Agricultural Census to vary as it has to be conducted in years ending in nine or zero, as set forth in successive Council regulations. The censuses were therefore conducted in 1989 and 1999 and the structure surveys in 1987, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2003, 2005 and 2007.

As there is no statistical record on agricultural holdings, agricultural censuses are particularly useful for updating the framework of future surveys.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Households

Universe

The statistical unit was the agricultural holding, defined both technically and economically, which has a single management and which undertakes agricultural activities listed in annex Ito the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No. 1166/2008 within the economic territory of the EU, as either its primary or secondary activity.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

Frame:

The frame was obtained from the INE List Register or Census Directory. The Register lists all the reporting units considered to be potential agricultural holdings, including their relevant contact information. The Register was based on the use and integration of data from three key sources: (i) the Integrated Administrative Control System Register; the (ii) Spanish Agency for Tax Administration (AEAT); and (iii) other INE statistical sources. The AC 2009 was conducted using the complete enumeration.

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Telephone Interview [cati]

Research instrument

The AC 2010 covered 15 out of 16 items recommended in the WCA 2010.

1. Identification data of the census taker
2. Contact details of the "informant"
3. The agricultural holder
4. Farms of the agricultural holder
5. Livestock
6. Crops, fallow land and pasture
7. Land tenure
8. Other lands
9. Location
10. Irrigation
11. Cultivated mushrooms and other fungi
12. Crops for renewable energy production and genetically modified crops
13. Organic farming
14. Farm labour. Owner, farm manager and other labour
15. Equipment for renewable energy production
16. Rural development
17. Comments

Cleaning operations

a. DATA PROCESSING AND ARCHIVING The census data collected using the PAPI method and new technology (CATI and CASI/CAWI) were consolidated into a combined database. Following the manual correction of errors and prior to obtaining the data sets with the final data, all questionnaires underwent a process of automatic data imputation (AIP). The AIP consists of edits to identify the characteristics failing an edit and requiring imputation, as well as the imputations themselves.

b. CENSUS DATA QUALITY More than 170 controls were incorporated into the data entry and processing applications. The microdata and macrodata were analysed thoroughly, and compared to the available agricultural statistics.

Data appraisal

The first final AC results were published on the INE website in July 2011. In October 2011, the AC Data Warehouse system became available. The system provides information processing power, greater flexibility and faster access to information (including custom queries). The SAPM data were published on the INE website in January 2012.