Population Census Microdata Availability

Abstract

In this paper, the author aims to describe the dissemination of microdata from the population census by National Statistical Offices. This type of data is highly confidential, and approaches to protection vary across the world. National Statistical Offices mostly strive to publish their data as much as possible, but they are bounded by national and international laws to protect the personal data of respondents. The primary goal is mapping the differences between countries and their categorization. Different approaches to microdata availability are described, and various data access approaches are depicted. The information was obtained from publicly available documentation and a survey in which selected statistical offices were contacted. Discovered were that of the 223 countries (including dependent territories), 100 countries have made microdata available for the scientific community, with 30 countries also providing microdata access to the public. This paper presents a mapped overview and aggregated information on the publication of microdata of the population census from around the world.

Keywords

• microdata
• population census
• statistical disclosure control
• confidentiality
• public use files
• scientific use files