Measurement of the economically active population in censuses: the overall statistical context

Abstract

This document, prepared by Oleg V. VOLKOV, provides an overview of the measurement of the economically active population in censuses, focusing on the statistical context and its implications for economic and social development. The lecture notes emphasize the importance of census data in understanding the socio-economic structure of a population, which is crucial for policymaking, planning, and administration. The economically active population is defined as those individuals who are either employed or unemployed, and their data are essential for assessing human resources, labor supply, and economic indicators such as national income and labor productivity. The document highlights the various uses of census data, including their role in formulating public policies, designing economic and social development programs, and providing benchmarks for sample surveys. It also discusses the limitations of census data and the need for international recommendations to ensure comparability across countries. The notes review national census practices from 1965 to 1984, detailing how different countries collected and categorized data on economic activity, including the use of reference periods and sorting questions.