Part One
General Issues
I. Focus and content - rationale and structure..........................................3
A. Overview.................................................................................................3
B. Purpose of Measuring the Economically Active in Population Consuses : A Handbook.........................................................................................................5
C. Users and uses of the Handbook.........................................................6
D. Organization of the Handbook...............................................................7
II. Planning and design of population censuses for the collection of data on economic characteristics.................................................................................9
Uses and sources of statistics on economic characteristics...................9
A. Uses of statistics on economic characteristics...................................9
B. Population census compared with other sources of data..................10
Census administrations in census planning and design...........................13
C. General considerations in census planning of the enumeration........13
D. Preparation for enumeration..................................................................15
E. Decisions about the coverage and format of the enumeration.........16
1.Scale of the census and use of sampling to expand content.........16
2.Issues relating to counts of population present and usual resident population
3.Method of census data collection.......................................................17
4.Forms used for data collection...........................................................18
F. Selection training and supervision of field staff.................................19
G. Field tests and the pilot census............................................................21
H. Issues relating to questionnaire design for data processing.............22
I. Data processing and dissemination of census results ........................23
Decisions related to topics for measuring economic characteristics.....25
J. Selecting topics to be included..............................................................26
K. Determining the location and sequence of the economic items on the census form...................................................................................................................27
L. Formulating questions on selected topics............................................28
Part Two
Measurement of economic characteristics in a population census
III. Measurement frameworks.........................................................................35
A. Understanding the concept of economic activity.................................35
B. The scope of production in the system of National Accounts..........35
C. Correspondence between economic activity and production within the system of National Accounts production boundary........................................................39
D. Decisions related to measuring economic characteristics..................39
1. Setting the reference period........................................................40
2. Setting age limits..........................................................................42
E. Organization of chapters IV to VIII...............................................44
1. Relavance of past experience.....................................................44
2. Format of the presentation..........................................................45
IV. Currently economically active population (labor force).................47
A. Labour force framework ................................................................47
B. Employed population........................................................................48
1.Employed : operational definition.................................................48
2.Employed : requisites for applying the definition.......................49
3.Identification of the employed : special cases............................50
4.Employed : review of questions used in national censuses......52
5.Employed : suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
............................................................................................................60
6.Employed : issues of measurement..............................................63
C. Unemployed population.......................................................................64
1.Unemployed : the operational definition......................................64
2.Unemployed : requisites for applying the definition..................64
3.Unemployed : review of questions used in national censuses..66
4.Unemployed : suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
...................................................................................................................72
5.Unemployed : issues of measurement.........................................73
D. Population not currently active......................................................74
V. Usual economic activity status..........................................................75
A. Introduction.......................................................................................75
B. Usually active: operational definition.............................................76
C. Usually active: requisites for applying the definition..................76
D. Usually active: review of questions used in national censuses...78
E. Usually active: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
....................................................................................................................84
F. Usually active: issues of measurement............................................86
Part Three
Measurement of characteristics of jobs, establishments and persons
VI. Descriptive characteristics for the main job...................................91
A. Status in employment......................................................................92
1. Status on employment: operational definition............................92
2. Status on employment: requisites for applying the definition...93
3. Status on employment: review of questions used in national censuses..94
4. Status on employment: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions.....................................................................................................97
5. Status on employment: issues of measurement..........................97
B. Occupation..........................................................................................99
1.Occupation: operational definition.................................................100
2.Occupation: requisites for applying the definition.......................100
3.Occupation: review of questions used in national censuses......100
4.Occupation: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
....................................................................................................................103
5.Occupation: issues of measurement..............................................104
C. Place of work ..................................................................................106
1. Place of work: operational definition...........................................106
2. place of work: requisites for applying the definition.................106
3. Place of work: review of applying the definition.......................107
4. Place of work: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
.....................................................................................................................111
5. Place of work: issues of measurement........................................111
VII. Descriptive characteristics of the establishment..............................113
A. Industry................................................................................................113
1. Industry: operational definition.......................................................113
2. Industry: requisites for applying the definition.............................113
3. Industry: review of questions used in national censuses............114
4. Industry: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
.......................................................................................................................116
5. Industry: issues of measurement....................................................117
B. Institutional sector...............................................................................119
1. Industrial sector: operational definition..........................................119
2. Industrial sector: requisites for applying the definition...............119
3. Industrial sector: review of questions used in national censuses..121
4. Industrial sector: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the
questions ............................................................................................122
5. Industrial sector: issues of measurement.......................................123
C. Informal sector and informal employment.........................................123
1. Informal sector: operational definition............................................125
2. Informal sector: requisites for applying the definition..................126
3. Informal sector: review of questions used in national censuses....126
4. Informal sector: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the
questions .............................................................................................129
5. Informal sector: issues of measurement.........................................133
VIII. Working time and income....................................................................137
A. Working time.........................................................................................137
1. Working time: operational definition..........................................138
2. Working time: requisites for applying the definition...............138
3. Working time: review of questions used in national censuses..139
4. Working time: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the
questions ........................................................................................140
5. Working time: issues of measurement........................................142
B. Income................................................................................................142
1. Income: operational definition.......................................................143
2. Income: requisites for applying the definition.............................143
3. Income: review of questions used in national censuses............144
4. Income: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the
questions ..........................................................................................146
5. Income: issues of measurement...................................................149
Part Four
Data processing, tabulation, analysis and dissemination
IX. Data processing, tabulation, analysis and dissemination.................153
A. Introduction........................................................................................153
B. Data processing aspects for particular topics................................154
1. Economic activity status.................................................................154
2. Status in employment......................................................................155
3. Occupation........................................................................................155
4. Place of work...................................................................................156
5. Industry.............................................................................................156
6. Institutional sector...........................................................................157
7. Informal sector.................................................................................158
8. Informal employment........................................................................158
9. Working time.....................................................................................158
10. Income..............................................................................................158
C. Data quality and verification...............................................................159
D. Dissemination........................................................................................159
1. Printed publications...........................................................................160
2. Electronic dissemination....................................................................160
3. Microdata.............................................................................................160
4. Confidentiality and data security......................................................160
5. Graphical and related output ...........................................................161
E. Meradata ...............................................................................................161
F. Emerging technologies for data processing and output.....................162
G. Data capture and coding methods........................................................162
H. Output......................................................................................................163
Part Five
Coding of occupation and industry
X. Preparation for coding occupation and industry................................167
A. Objectives...........................................................................................167
B. Strategic coding and processing options.........................................168
1. Process all cases or a sample only ............................................168
2. Field or office coding?....................................................................169
3. Level of coding................................................................................172
4. Coding of vague and difficult responses.......................................173
C. Planning and organizing coding operations.......................................174
1. Finance and resources.....................................................................175
2. Expertise, experience and rehearsal .............................................175
3. Estimating coding rates.....................................................................175
4. Coding staff ......................................................................................175
5. Coding teams and queries.................................................................176
6. Coding tools........................................................................................177
7. Coding problems and queries............................................................178
8. Quality assessment and quality control............................................178
9. Premises, infrastructure and equipment...........................................179
10. Processing in one location or in several.......................................179
11. Handling of documents.....................................................................180
12. Use of automatic or computer-assisted coding.............................180
13. The problem of different languages................................................182
XI. The development and use of coding indies...........................................185
A. What is a coding index?........................................................................185
B. Developing and updating the occupation coding index.......................187
1. Sources of information the occupation coding index.......................187
2. Organization and structure of the index............................................188
C. Using the occupation coding index........................................................191
1. Using the occupational response.........................................................191
2. Using ancillary information on industry or name and type of employer..192
3. Use of other ancillary information for coding of occupation ..........193
4. Inadequate occupation responses and queries....................................193
D. Developing and updating the industry coding index.............................194
1. Types of industry coding index............................................................194
2. Lists or registers of establishments.....................................................195
3. Indies reflecting the answers given in response to industry questions...196
E. Using the industry coding indices..............................................................198
1. Using the industry response....................................................................198
2. Using ancillary information on occupation..............................................198
3. Use of other ancillary information for industry coding.........................200
4. Inadequate industry responses and queries...........................................200
Part Six
Using population censuses to improve labour force and related statistics
XII. Type of data collection on the labour force and other economic characteristics
..........................................................................................................................205
A. Organization of part six................................................................................205
B. Diversify of sources......................................................................................205
C. Household-based enquiries...........................................................................206
D. Establishment-based enquiries from information on the population's economic characteristics and activities.........................................................................208
E. Administrative sources...................................................................................210
XIII. Labour force survey structure and arrangements.....................................211
A. Purpose of the labour force survey.............................................................211
B. Common characteristics of surveys of the economically active population..211
C. Diversity of labour force survey structure designs.....................................213
D. Survey frequency.............................................................................................213
1. Regular surveys for current data................................................................213
2. Occasional surveys for more structural information ................................215
E. Linkages of the labour force survey with other surveys ..........................216
1. Separate labour force surveys.....................................................................217
2. Labour force survey as a vehicle for other data......................................217
3. Labour force molecule attached to other surveys.....................................217
4. Omnibus multi-purpose and specialized surveys........................................218
5. Labour force survey as a periodic round of a survey system with varying
focus.................................................................................................................219
XIV. Sampling and related uses of census information........................................221
A. Sampling in conjunction with the population census....................................221
B. Census as a source for sampling frames......................................................222
1. Survey population..........................................................................................222
2. Sampling frame..............................................................................................223
3. Common problems with sampling frames...................................................226
4. Physical representation and maintenance of the frame............................229
5. Master samples..............................................................................................230
C. Census-based area frames for labour force and other household surveys...233
1. The frame of census enumeration areas ..................................................233
2. Defining primary sampling units..................................................................234
3. Construction of strata...................................................................................236
D. Selecting a master sample of enumeration areas for household surveys.....238
1. Size of the master sample for household surveys.................................238
2. Allocation across domains.........................................................................238
3. Selection of master sample areas............................................................239
4. Replications.................................................................................................239
XV. The population census as a frame for household-based censuses and surveys
of agricultural and small-scale economic units...........................................241
A. Introduction....................................................................................................241
B. Censuses and sample surveys of establishments: similarities with household
survey design..................................................................................................242
C. Special features of sampling for economic surveys..................................243
1. Heterogeneity..............................................................................................243
2. Uneven distribution ...................................................................................243
3. Sampling versus survey units....................................................................244
4. Sampling different types of units..............................................................244
D. Data required for sample design and selection..........................................244
1. Information on economic characteristics of area units and corresponding
measures of size .........................................................................................245
2. Collecting information on economic characteristics of population census enumeration areas....................................................................................................246
E. Primary sampling units and stratification......................................................249
XVI. Use of census data in the production of survey estimates........................249
A. Introduction.......................................................................................................249
B. Weighing of sampling data..............................................................................250
1. Source of information...................................................................................251
2. A step-by-step procedure...........................................................................251
C. Design weights.................................................................................................252
D. Non-respond weights..........................................................................................252
1. Defining weighting classes...........................................................................253
2. Data sources..................................................................................................253
E. Correcting the sample distribution with more reliable external information....254
F. Estimating totals..............................................................................................255
G. Back revision of estimates.............................................................................256
XVII. The census as a basis for evaluating survey data....................................257
A. Survey content.................................................................................................257
1. Limitations of census data on labour force characteristics.....................257
2. Potential for comparison with and evaluation of labour force survey data...258
B. Survey coverage and representativeness......................................................259
C. The importance of preparing sample unbiased estimates............................259
XVIII. Combined uses of census and survey data: current estimates for small domains, including local level estimates................................................................261
A. The need for small domain estimates...........................................................261
B. What are small domains?................................................................................261
C. Diversity of methods.......................................................................................262
1. Illustration of a procedure...........................................................................264
,
General Issues
I. Focus and content - rationale and structure..........................................3
A. Overview.................................................................................................3
B. Purpose of Measuring the Economically Active in Population Consuses : A Handbook.........................................................................................................5
C. Users and uses of the Handbook.........................................................6
D. Organization of the Handbook...............................................................7
II. Planning and design of population censuses for the collection of data on economic characteristics.................................................................................9
Uses and sources of statistics on economic characteristics...................9
A. Uses of statistics on economic characteristics...................................9
B. Population census compared with other sources of data..................10
Census administrations in census planning and design...........................13
C. General considerations in census planning of the enumeration........13
D. Preparation for enumeration..................................................................15
E. Decisions about the coverage and format of the enumeration.........16
1.Scale of the census and use of sampling to expand content.........16
2.Issues relating to counts of population present and usual resident population
3.Method of census data collection.......................................................17
4.Forms used for data collection...........................................................18
F. Selection training and supervision of field staff.................................19
G. Field tests and the pilot census............................................................21
H. Issues relating to questionnaire design for data processing.............22
I. Data processing and dissemination of census results ........................23
Decisions related to topics for measuring economic characteristics.....25
J. Selecting topics to be included..............................................................26
K. Determining the location and sequence of the economic items on the census form...................................................................................................................27
L. Formulating questions on selected topics............................................28
Part Two
Measurement of economic characteristics in a population census
III. Measurement frameworks.........................................................................35
A. Understanding the concept of economic activity.................................35
B. The scope of production in the system of National Accounts..........35
C. Correspondence between economic activity and production within the system of National Accounts production boundary........................................................39
D. Decisions related to measuring economic characteristics..................39
1. Setting the reference period........................................................40
2. Setting age limits..........................................................................42
E. Organization of chapters IV to VIII...............................................44
1. Relavance of past experience.....................................................44
2. Format of the presentation..........................................................45
IV. Currently economically active population (labor force).................47
A. Labour force framework ................................................................47
B. Employed population........................................................................48
1.Employed : operational definition.................................................48
2.Employed : requisites for applying the definition.......................49
3.Identification of the employed : special cases............................50
4.Employed : review of questions used in national censuses......52
5.Employed : suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
............................................................................................................60
6.Employed : issues of measurement..............................................63
C. Unemployed population.......................................................................64
1.Unemployed : the operational definition......................................64
2.Unemployed : requisites for applying the definition..................64
3.Unemployed : review of questions used in national censuses..66
4.Unemployed : suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
...................................................................................................................72
5.Unemployed : issues of measurement.........................................73
D. Population not currently active......................................................74
V. Usual economic activity status..........................................................75
A. Introduction.......................................................................................75
B. Usually active: operational definition.............................................76
C. Usually active: requisites for applying the definition..................76
D. Usually active: review of questions used in national censuses...78
E. Usually active: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
....................................................................................................................84
F. Usually active: issues of measurement............................................86
Part Three
Measurement of characteristics of jobs, establishments and persons
VI. Descriptive characteristics for the main job...................................91
A. Status in employment......................................................................92
1. Status on employment: operational definition............................92
2. Status on employment: requisites for applying the definition...93
3. Status on employment: review of questions used in national censuses..94
4. Status on employment: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions.....................................................................................................97
5. Status on employment: issues of measurement..........................97
B. Occupation..........................................................................................99
1.Occupation: operational definition.................................................100
2.Occupation: requisites for applying the definition.......................100
3.Occupation: review of questions used in national censuses......100
4.Occupation: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
....................................................................................................................103
5.Occupation: issues of measurement..............................................104
C. Place of work ..................................................................................106
1. Place of work: operational definition...........................................106
2. place of work: requisites for applying the definition.................106
3. Place of work: review of applying the definition.......................107
4. Place of work: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
.....................................................................................................................111
5. Place of work: issues of measurement........................................111
VII. Descriptive characteristics of the establishment..............................113
A. Industry................................................................................................113
1. Industry: operational definition.......................................................113
2. Industry: requisites for applying the definition.............................113
3. Industry: review of questions used in national censuses............114
4. Industry: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the questions
.......................................................................................................................116
5. Industry: issues of measurement....................................................117
B. Institutional sector...............................................................................119
1. Industrial sector: operational definition..........................................119
2. Industrial sector: requisites for applying the definition...............119
3. Industrial sector: review of questions used in national censuses..121
4. Industrial sector: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the
questions ............................................................................................122
5. Industrial sector: issues of measurement.......................................123
C. Informal sector and informal employment.........................................123
1. Informal sector: operational definition............................................125
2. Informal sector: requisites for applying the definition..................126
3. Informal sector: review of questions used in national censuses....126
4. Informal sector: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the
questions .............................................................................................129
5. Informal sector: issues of measurement.........................................133
VIII. Working time and income....................................................................137
A. Working time.........................................................................................137
1. Working time: operational definition..........................................138
2. Working time: requisites for applying the definition...............138
3. Working time: review of questions used in national censuses..139
4. Working time: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the
questions ........................................................................................140
5. Working time: issues of measurement........................................142
B. Income................................................................................................142
1. Income: operational definition.......................................................143
2. Income: requisites for applying the definition.............................143
3. Income: review of questions used in national censuses............144
4. Income: suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the
questions ..........................................................................................146
5. Income: issues of measurement...................................................149
Part Four
Data processing, tabulation, analysis and dissemination
IX. Data processing, tabulation, analysis and dissemination.................153
A. Introduction........................................................................................153
B. Data processing aspects for particular topics................................154
1. Economic activity status.................................................................154
2. Status in employment......................................................................155
3. Occupation........................................................................................155
4. Place of work...................................................................................156
5. Industry.............................................................................................156
6. Institutional sector...........................................................................157
7. Informal sector.................................................................................158
8. Informal employment........................................................................158
9. Working time.....................................................................................158
10. Income..............................................................................................158
C. Data quality and verification...............................................................159
D. Dissemination........................................................................................159
1. Printed publications...........................................................................160
2. Electronic dissemination....................................................................160
3. Microdata.............................................................................................160
4. Confidentiality and data security......................................................160
5. Graphical and related output ...........................................................161
E. Meradata ...............................................................................................161
F. Emerging technologies for data processing and output.....................162
G. Data capture and coding methods........................................................162
H. Output......................................................................................................163
Part Five
Coding of occupation and industry
X. Preparation for coding occupation and industry................................167
A. Objectives...........................................................................................167
B. Strategic coding and processing options.........................................168
1. Process all cases or a sample only ............................................168
2. Field or office coding?....................................................................169
3. Level of coding................................................................................172
4. Coding of vague and difficult responses.......................................173
C. Planning and organizing coding operations.......................................174
1. Finance and resources.....................................................................175
2. Expertise, experience and rehearsal .............................................175
3. Estimating coding rates.....................................................................175
4. Coding staff ......................................................................................175
5. Coding teams and queries.................................................................176
6. Coding tools........................................................................................177
7. Coding problems and queries............................................................178
8. Quality assessment and quality control............................................178
9. Premises, infrastructure and equipment...........................................179
10. Processing in one location or in several.......................................179
11. Handling of documents.....................................................................180
12. Use of automatic or computer-assisted coding.............................180
13. The problem of different languages................................................182
XI. The development and use of coding indies...........................................185
A. What is a coding index?........................................................................185
B. Developing and updating the occupation coding index.......................187
1. Sources of information the occupation coding index.......................187
2. Organization and structure of the index............................................188
C. Using the occupation coding index........................................................191
1. Using the occupational response.........................................................191
2. Using ancillary information on industry or name and type of employer..192
3. Use of other ancillary information for coding of occupation ..........193
4. Inadequate occupation responses and queries....................................193
D. Developing and updating the industry coding index.............................194
1. Types of industry coding index............................................................194
2. Lists or registers of establishments.....................................................195
3. Indies reflecting the answers given in response to industry questions...196
E. Using the industry coding indices..............................................................198
1. Using the industry response....................................................................198
2. Using ancillary information on occupation..............................................198
3. Use of other ancillary information for industry coding.........................200
4. Inadequate industry responses and queries...........................................200
Part Six
Using population censuses to improve labour force and related statistics
XII. Type of data collection on the labour force and other economic characteristics
..........................................................................................................................205
A. Organization of part six................................................................................205
B. Diversify of sources......................................................................................205
C. Household-based enquiries...........................................................................206
D. Establishment-based enquiries from information on the population's economic characteristics and activities.........................................................................208
E. Administrative sources...................................................................................210
XIII. Labour force survey structure and arrangements.....................................211
A. Purpose of the labour force survey.............................................................211
B. Common characteristics of surveys of the economically active population..211
C. Diversity of labour force survey structure designs.....................................213
D. Survey frequency.............................................................................................213
1. Regular surveys for current data................................................................213
2. Occasional surveys for more structural information ................................215
E. Linkages of the labour force survey with other surveys ..........................216
1. Separate labour force surveys.....................................................................217
2. Labour force survey as a vehicle for other data......................................217
3. Labour force molecule attached to other surveys.....................................217
4. Omnibus multi-purpose and specialized surveys........................................218
5. Labour force survey as a periodic round of a survey system with varying
focus.................................................................................................................219
XIV. Sampling and related uses of census information........................................221
A. Sampling in conjunction with the population census....................................221
B. Census as a source for sampling frames......................................................222
1. Survey population..........................................................................................222
2. Sampling frame..............................................................................................223
3. Common problems with sampling frames...................................................226
4. Physical representation and maintenance of the frame............................229
5. Master samples..............................................................................................230
C. Census-based area frames for labour force and other household surveys...233
1. The frame of census enumeration areas ..................................................233
2. Defining primary sampling units..................................................................234
3. Construction of strata...................................................................................236
D. Selecting a master sample of enumeration areas for household surveys.....238
1. Size of the master sample for household surveys.................................238
2. Allocation across domains.........................................................................238
3. Selection of master sample areas............................................................239
4. Replications.................................................................................................239
XV. The population census as a frame for household-based censuses and surveys
of agricultural and small-scale economic units...........................................241
A. Introduction....................................................................................................241
B. Censuses and sample surveys of establishments: similarities with household
survey design..................................................................................................242
C. Special features of sampling for economic surveys..................................243
1. Heterogeneity..............................................................................................243
2. Uneven distribution ...................................................................................243
3. Sampling versus survey units....................................................................244
4. Sampling different types of units..............................................................244
D. Data required for sample design and selection..........................................244
1. Information on economic characteristics of area units and corresponding
measures of size .........................................................................................245
2. Collecting information on economic characteristics of population census enumeration areas....................................................................................................246
E. Primary sampling units and stratification......................................................249
XVI. Use of census data in the production of survey estimates........................249
A. Introduction.......................................................................................................249
B. Weighing of sampling data..............................................................................250
1. Source of information...................................................................................251
2. A step-by-step procedure...........................................................................251
C. Design weights.................................................................................................252
D. Non-respond weights..........................................................................................252
1. Defining weighting classes...........................................................................253
2. Data sources..................................................................................................253
E. Correcting the sample distribution with more reliable external information....254
F. Estimating totals..............................................................................................255
G. Back revision of estimates.............................................................................256
XVII. The census as a basis for evaluating survey data....................................257
A. Survey content.................................................................................................257
1. Limitations of census data on labour force characteristics.....................257
2. Potential for comparison with and evaluation of labour force survey data...258
B. Survey coverage and representativeness......................................................259
C. The importance of preparing sample unbiased estimates............................259
XVIII. Combined uses of census and survey data: current estimates for small domains, including local level estimates................................................................261
A. The need for small domain estimates...........................................................261
B. What are small domains?................................................................................261
C. Diversity of methods.......................................................................................262
1. Illustration of a procedure...........................................................................264
,