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THE 2004 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS OF TIMOR-LESTE
The first post-independence population and housing census of Timor-Leste was taken in July 2004. The census was conducted by the National Statistics Directorate (NSD) which is a department under the Ministry of Planning and Finance.
In July 2002, a mission comprised of experts from the United Nations Population Division, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and the Malaysian Department of Statistics was asked to explore the feasibility of conducting a Population and Housing Census in the newly independent Timor-Leste. Although considered as a difficult undertaking, it was determined to be viable.
It is important to mention that a population and housing census was essential for Timor-Leste. During and after independence substantial transformations took place, including demographic changes. Previously available data would have been misleading for planning in a new country. Nevertheless, many stakeholders were skeptical about the possibility of conducting a successful census. In spite of the doubts and reservations, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) took the challenge.
Indeed, UNFPA organized the necessary technical and human resource support and provided the major part of the funding needed to carry out the census. Since 2002 two UNFPA Census Projects have been supporting census activities and have expended more than three million dollars. This major financial contribution was supplemented by the assistance of other donors: the United States, which among other things paid for some equipment, the printing of questionnaires and other forms, and also funded technical assistance for data editing; Ireland, which funded the census publicity campaign; New Zealand, which provided funding for technical experts; and Australia, which assisted in the training of data input personnel and in funding several technical assistance missions.
A pilot census was held on 7 July 2003 as a dress rehearsal for the 2004 Census and to test all major components and processes. The aim of the pilot census was to test functionality of the mapping, questionnaire, enumeration, processing, evaluation and output processes. The pilot census also provided a good indication of the ability of the NSD to undertake a full census and to determine what additional resources would be needed. The sample population selected gave a cross section of urban, semi-rural and rural (mountainous) areas. The pilot was successfully carried out and the results captured and processed using CSPro software, with analyses done using Excel and SPSS.
With a new confidence, gained from the success of the pilot census, activities continued and culminated on 11 July 2004, the official date of the census.
Data capture and processing ended early this year and, at present, the analysis and dissemination of the 2004 Census results has started. Analyses and technical evaluations indicate that the 2004 Census attained a very good coverage, the data collected are quite relevant and that most of the information is reliable. Previously skeptical stakeholders are now making extensive use of the data.
The next census is planned for 2010, that is, the inter-censal period will be 6 years. There are many reasons to take a new census in 2010, only 6 and not 10 years after the last census. The most important one is that, although the 2004 Census provided relevant and valuable information, it also showed that, given the particular characteristics of the country and the historical conjuncture in which it is at present, much more information is needed, especially regarding its demographic dynamic and distinctive employment structure (see Box 1). The examination of the 2004 Census data suggests that the much needed information can only be collected through a new census. To conduct it in 2010 will certainly bring closer the date when Timor-Leste will adopt a population policy to promote a sustainable and harmonious balance between population growth, population distribution, the economy and the environment. |
