[Organization]

United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) 

[Title]

United Nations Statistical Commission 56th Session

Side Event - Advancing Population and Housing Censuses in the 2030 Round

[Overview]

The 2020 round of population and housing censuses presented unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing significant delays, modifications to census procedures, and impacting data collection, raising concerns about coverage and quality. However, the 2020 round also witnessed a substantial acceleration in the adoption of modern technologies and methodologies, ultimately improving efficiency and data quality. Noteworthy innovations included georeferencing, the use of administrative data sources, digital data collection methods, and multi-mode data collection.

Building on the experiences of the 2020 round, the 2030 census round is expected to witness further advancements in methodology and technology. There will be an emphasis on digital-first, multi-mode approaches (CAWI, CAPI, and CATI), and increased use of administrative data to supplement field operations. Geospatial information and tools are anticipated to play a greater role in all census phases, including the dissemination of geocoded results. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding emergency preparedness and contingency planning, are expected to be integrated into census planning for the 2030 round.​ 

[URL]

https://unstats.un.org/UNSDWebsite/events-details/UNSC56-population-housing-census-5Mar2025/