UN Census “Households” and Local Interpretations in Africa Since Independence

Abstract

Since the 1950s, the UN Statistical Division has encouraged nations to standardize the definitions used in data collection. A key concept in censuses and surveys is the household: This is the unit for which information is collected and analyzed, and is thus an important dimension of data that are the basis for many policies. We aim to understand the tensions between conformity with UN guidelines and national priorities. We analyze the documentation around the UN household definition over this period. Using detailed census and survey documentary data for several African countries, especially Burkina Faso, Senegal, Uganda, and Tanzania, we examine the disparities between national census definitions of "household" and the UN definition. Perspectives from interviews with key informants within national statistical offices demonstrate the variability in the importance accorded to the UN harmonization aims and the problems that arise when these standardized approaches interact with local norms and living arrangements.

High prevalence of epilepsy in onchocerciasis endemic health areas in Democratic Republic of the Congo

“…All permanent households and household members within villages belonging to the health areas of Draju and Kanga were eligible to participate. A household was defined as a person or group of persons ‘living together and eating from the same cooking pot’ [ 16 ]. Permanent residents were defined as individuals who had been living in the village for at least 12 months.…”

Counting the Population or Describing Society? A Comparison of English and Welsh and French Censuses

“…The costs of a census (time and financial) mean that “it is difficult to justify a census in strict economic terms” (Newell 1988 , p. 15) but the “prestige” of doing a traditional census (Newell 1988 ) remains important for many countries, and can signal belonging to the international statistical community (Randall et al 2015 ). A survey on census methods used in the 2010 round found that 85 % were using a “traditional” census for a total population count (all countries in Africa, North America, South America and Oceania), 10 % were using administrative registers and the remaining 5 % a different methodology altogether (UNSD 2013c ).…”

“…The census household definition is driven by pressures of universality and the avoidance of double counting (Randall et al 2015 ). Implicit in such enumeration units, and their definition, is a tension between the census’ mandate of accurately counting the population (once and only once) and providing information about people’s living arrangements.…”

The quality of demographic data on older Africans

“…In some contexts widows may be more likely to be excluded from such lists: for example, if they are partially supported by a son's household the survey administration may not consider the widow to be a separate household and she may not be listed -and therefore cannot be selected. However, when the household to which they are partially attached is enumerated she may be forgotten, not considered to be a household member by the respondent, or excluded from being a household member by a household definition which requires that they sleep under one roof and/or eat together (Randall et al 2015). Furthermore, surveys collect much more detailed data than a census and the respondent is usually required to be an adult who knows details about the household economy.…”