Coverage and Completeness of Demographic Yearbook Data Demographic and Social Statistics Branch United Nations Statistics Division Expert Group Meeting to Review the United Nations Demographic Yearbook System November 2003 New York

Demographic Yearbook data collection system Annual questionnaires: Population estimates Vital statistics International travel and migration Census questionnaires: General characteristics Economic characteristics Household characteristics

Country response Variations of country/area responses in: frequency of responses completeness recency

Variations in responses – frequency Frequency of responses and non-responses for annually dispatched questionnaires ( ) Annual Questionnaires Population Estimates Vital Statistics International Travel and Migration Number of countries and areas replying at least once to the questionnaires 8-10 times 4-7 times 1-3 times All responses Number of countries/areas replying at least once As percentage of total

Variations in responses – completeness Time period Data provided Number of countries/areas Responded to the Population census economic characteristics questionnaire 95 Economically active population by industry 77 Economically active population by both industry and status of employment 52

Variations in responses – recency Time lag between the year of census and the year of response (censuses conducted in )

Barriers to data transfer?

Factors endogenous to the Demographic Yearbook system 1. Design of questionnaires Relevancy of topics Degree of complexity of tables Structure and layout of tables Definitions, classifications and explanations provided Language used in the questionnaire 2. Dispatch process of questionnaires Timing sending out questionnaires Response deadlines Medium used 3. Interactions between United Nations Statistics Division and National Statistical Offices Feedback to respondents Publicizing the result of the data collection

Factors at national level Relevance of the request to national priorities Resource constraints (human and financial) Timeliness of data Availability and accessibility of data Level of development of the national statistical system

Improve response level 1. Reducing the burden of response Size, features and content of the Demographic Yearbook questionnaires Coordination between international and regional agencies

Improve response level (cont.) 2. Keeping countries and areas motivated and involved in the data collection and dissemination processes What is the motivation for countries and areas to respond consistently? What are the products that can be used to inform and update countries and areas on the performance and achievements of the Demographic Yearbook system?

Improve response level (cont.) 3. Strengthening national statistical capacity The Demographic Yearbook system seeks to promote the dissemination and utilization of national data at international level. Is its approach far-reaching? How can national statistical systems be better assisted to produce and disseminate basic statistics routinely? to strengthen the coordination among national statistical agencies?