Organized jointly by the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Center (CELADE)-Population Division and the Statistics Division of ECLAC, with the collaboration of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The 2020 round of population and housing censuses has been especially complex in the region, both due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting socioeconomic crisis due to the sociocultural changes, technological challenges, political contexts, and citizen trust among other aspects. Within the framework of the Twelfth Meeting of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (September 26 to 28, 2023), a series of political, technical and institutional challenges of the National Statistics Offices (NSO) were identified, concerning both the process of carrying out their censuses of the 2020 round and the dissemination of their results. In this event, the role of regional collaboration among countries was emphasized for making well-informed decisions that minimize the risks inherent in the complex processes involved in population and housing censuses. Furthermore, the assistance of specialized international organizations, the strengthening of networks and regional alliances; the exchange of best practices, and the circulation of technical resources were highlighted as crucial components.

Similarly, in the SCA-ECLAC meetings as well as other discussions and debates related to censuses, efforts made by the National Statistical Offices have been recognized to face the challenges of the 2020 round. The offices have innovated in the management, technical, and methodological aspects, with lessons that must be capitalized towards the 2030 round of population and housing censuses. These innovations include the use of mobile capture devices (MCD), online self-enumeration, and hybrid training, among many others. In addition, as we approach the 2030 round, it is essential to improve administrative records and facilitate access to them, acknowledging their significant potential as a source for population statistical data.

Objective

This seminar aims to share the innovations introduced in the 2020 round of population and housing censuses and the lessons learned, from the perspective of the directors or managers of the national statistical offices, with focus on planning and preparing the 2030 census round. It is expected to enhance the NSOs learning and capabilities in light of the quality of the results obtained and the challenges ahead.