1. Statistics Estonia’s meeting with the expert from Austria Diana Beltadze Project Manager Statistics Estonia

2. Why register-based census? 1)Expectations to use data already collected for administrative purposes 2)Difficulties of enumeration (increasing mobility, multiple-residence, hard-to- reach groups, response burden) 3)Need for more frequent dissemination of data (every 10 years is not enough Definition of register Systematic collection of unit level data Updating is possible Statistical register-in future Based on several administrative registers Base registers Keeping stock of the population Persons Properties (real estates, addresses, buildings and dwellings) Enterprises and establishments

3. The REGREL project has a wider purpose 1.Ensure readiness for the conduct of a register- based census in 2020 (incl. pilot censuses in 2015 and 2018). Many registrars are involved. 2.Diversify and accelerate the production of statistics, by developing the interoperability of statistical registers – how can it be done? What more can be done? 3.Improve e-services and products that present statistics – any observations or recommendations? How to cooperate with respondents or statistics users when resources are limited?

4. Current situation Dissemination Statistical register system Metadata süsteem Andme- kogumine Data processing Analize REGISTERS Consumers Data warehouse iMETA Raw- Data SRS VAIS.STAT AS VKR

5. Statistiliste registrite süsteemi koosseis Person Dwellings Business units Agricultural units Admin.sources Statistics Statistiical registers

6. Administrative data sources(17) Population Register (RR) Estonian Education Information System (EHIS) Estonian Register of Buildings (EHR) Address Data System (ADS) Health Insurance Information System (KIRST) Register of Taxable Persons (EMTA) Commercial Register (ARIREG) State Register of State and Local Government Institutions (RKOARR) Land Register (KR) Estonian National Pension Insurance Register (PKR) Mandatory funded pension (KOPIS) Social Services and Benefits Registry (STAR) Unemployment Insurance Fund (EMPIS) Military service (KVKR) Register of Prisoners (VANGIS/KIR)

7. What does interoperability mean? How can Statistics Estonia improve it? We have checked data quality in the registers at least once. This is optimal, as time is limited and we cannot do it more often. We have had meetings with the representatives of registers and databases (also regarding development projects) – the main issue is funding. Did the Netherlands also need extra funds for registers so that they could prepare for the virtual census? Did the national statistical office apply any requirements? Were these monitored? Were there any different views as to who should do what and how?

8. 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

9. 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)

10. Main problems (1) Usual residence: Technical quality of addresses - address standard is not implemented Addresses are not accurate – people do not report their real address  missing or incorrect links between people and dwellings  incorrect households

11. Cooperation between agencies Working group of andministrative registers in Statistics Estonia Contracts with registers Cooperation with Estonian Information System’s Authority - responsible for coordinating the development and administration of the national information system Estonian Land Board – responsible for Address Data System Negociations : Tax Board – missing variables

12. 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

13. Critical risks Addition of new characteristics, i.e. the data collection task which is the responsibility of registers. This requires a more general paradigm shift in viewpoints. Proposals for new legislation to ensure that the records of the Population Register are regularly updated.

14. Proposals for new legislation It is necessary to ensure that the records of the Population Register are regularly updated. Therefore, when people apply for new ID documents (which they regularly do), they would always be asked to provide the following personal information: place of residence (ADS), education, ethnic nationality, mother tongue. The collected data would be sent to the Population Register (RR). When people register vital events (births, deaths, changes in marital status and place of residence), they would be required to provide data about all characteristics (incl. statistical characteristics), e.g. in forms.

15. 1980 519902011 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Census cost Estimated cost of census. In Finland, census costs decreased in 1980 – 2011, did the same happen in Austria? -30 million euros -2 million euros - 0.68 million euros

16. Management structure for Census 2020 project Government Governmental commission Steering group (SE) Project team and working groups

17. Next steps Detailed action plan for administrative registers Cooperation with register holders Continuous methodological work and analysis Quality framework: criteria, monitoring feedback Topics for wider discussion: Place of usual residence Missing variables IT tools

18. Future work Decision about the dataset needed: Topics important to Estonian users Mandatory topics Further development of the methodology: Additional analysis (special groups, problems etc) Updating and further testing of the methodology Establishing quality framework: Quality assessment Feedback

19. I wish you good exchanges of thoughts at the seminar !