This side-event was organized by Statistics Norway.  It took place online on 15 November 2021, from 14:30 to 16:00 hrs, Bangkok time.

Background:

One of the greatest benefits of a having a good CRVS system is that the data can be used to update population registers for administrative and statistical purposes, including conducting register-based censuses. Such censuses cost significantly less, provide more timely results and can be conducted more frequently than traditional censuses. A population register, together with the use of unique ID numbers, can also be important for improving the quality and coverage of the CRVS system by making sure that all vital events in the population are registered and that they are correct. 

The interest in censuses that utilise administrative data is increasing. Besides the lower costs, the coverage of the population may be more complete and the quality of the data better. The Covid-19 pandemic has also alerted NSOs to the fact that data collection that does not require human contact may be advantageous for many other reasons. 

So far only a few countries, mostly European, have conducted fully register-based censuses, but many countries have combined the use of administrative data with data collected in the field, or are planning to do so in coming censuses.

There is unfortunately no quick fix solution. It usually takes many years to develop the statistical basis and methodology for a register-based census. Several prerequisites need to be met, in particular good registers and the ability to link these at the unit record level.

In this side-event, countries at different stages of development presented their experience and plans for register-based censuses. Some have just started to consider this alternative method of data collection whereas others now rely almost entirely on administrative registers.

Biographies of speakers: