BHUTAN 2005 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS DATA CODING

By

Khandu Dorji

Senior Statistical Officer

National Statistics Bureau

Thimphu:Bhutan

Background: First Census – 1744 – 1763 during Desi Chogyal

Sherub Wangchuck. 1990 Census Enumeration to identify and Verify

genuine citizen from illegal settlers. This Census may be called as citizenship

verification census. In March, 2003 the Ministry of Home Affair’s

received an instruction from the Royal Government of Bhutan to Conduct a nation wide census.

Presently, the country population is based on the estimates drive from various surveys and administrative records.

Therefore, there was urgent need to conduct a population census, based on international recommendation and standards that would provide a better basis for development planning.

The department of civil registration and census understood this as similar census exercise undertaken earlier but at a larger scale and to be completed within short time.

To understand the technique and methodologies involved in a population census operation, the department consulted Regional Office of UNFPA and the census officers of few countries.

In consultation with the UNFPA on the approach in conducting a nation wide census in a specific time, it was imperative to follow prescribed UN recommendation so that the out come of exercise would be meaningful and acceptable internationally.

Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs in consultation with the UNFPA developed a comprehensive proposal for Population and Housing Census of Bhutan 2005 (PHCB 2005) in conformity to international procedures and standards, which was submitted to the Royal Government.

This proposal was approved by His Majesty the King.

Legal Basis for the Census:

The census operation had to be supported by appropriate legislation for effective implementation. It should include:

1. Authorization for taking census and its periodicity.

2. Provision for creation and designation of census Commissioner’s Office.

3. Provision for placing legal obligation upon the public to cooperate, and

4. Provision for maintenance of confidentiality of the respondents.

For the first PHCB 2005, an executive order was issued by the government authorizing the Office of the Census Commissioner (OCC) to conduct the population and housing census of Bhutan in 2005 with the approval from His Majesty and endorsement by the 82nd session of the National Assembly.

The Office of the Census Commissioner was established by pooling in demographers, statisticians, cartographers, communication experts and other senior staff from many Ministries.

The Office of the Census Commissioner was Established for a period of two years.

Pre Census Activities

Trainings: Series of trainings were conducted for Mapping, House Listing, TOT, enumerators, supervisors, data analysis, coders, editors.

Census Mapping: Mapping of all Districts, sub districts, chiwogs undertaken and digitized within the period one year. 6800 EAs.

Global Positioning System (GPS).

Geographic Hierarchy, Bhutan

20 DISTRICTS

205 GEWOGS

1906 CHIWOGS

CENTRAL

DISTRICT

GEWOG

CHIWOG

VILLAGE

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE IN BHUTAN

BHUTAN

DISTRICT

RURAL URBAN

GEWOG TOWN

CHIWOG BLOCK EAEA

DATA PROCESSING OF THE POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS

OF BHUTAN (PHCB) - 2005:

It is a way of arranging data systematically after data collection has been completed.The data might have collected through

schedule / questionnaires or other documents containing data received from

the field and ends by producing the complete report on the census / survey.

The 2005 Census has the following Forms:

(i) Form PHCB – 1: Household List

(ii) Form PHCB–2A: Household List Update

(iii) Form PHCB-2B: Household Member List

(iv) Form PHCB-2C: Individual Member

Details

(v) Form PCB-2D: Household Information

Control of Forms: Data collection completed.

Enumerators are ask to check completed questionnaires at the field before leaving

the area.The enumerator will have to bundle the

questionnaires by EA.Submit it to the Team Supervisor (TS).

The team supervisor checked each bundle of questionnaire within each EA.

Make sure the count made by the enumerator was correct and bundle was

packed properly.

TS submit the bundle EA questionnaire to the Gewog Supervisor (GS).

The GS arranged the bundle by Chiwog and submit to the District Statistical Officer

(DSO). The District Statistical Officer check/review

the completeness of forms and arranged the bundle forms by Gewog.

Data processing Flow: Each team supervisor (TS) consisting of one chiwog /block was formed for the field

operations. There were 4 to 5 enumerators depending

on the size of the chiwog / block. The chiwog/block contained several

enumerations area (EA). The census questionnaires were packed

first by chiwog/block and then by gewog by the gewog supervisors (GS) at the

District level.

Gewog forms reached at the respective District, the District Statistical Officer sent the census forms to the Office of the Census Commissioner (OCC) for processing.

Stages of Data Processing: There are two stages of data processing

namely;

- manual and machine processing. The manual processing was proposed to be

held at the District level.Due to the management and other reasons

foreseen the manual processing was to be done at the central office (OCC), Thimphu.

Objectives of Manual Processing: The objective was to check the completed questionnaire forms PHCB-2B, PHCB-2C and

PHCB-2D, examine for geographic identification. Check also the enumerators have coded correctly and the entries are consistent and

acceptable. Training of Manual Processing:

The training started from 25th – 30th June 2005

for a period of six days. To check the forms/census questionnaires, a

clerical manual checking was prepared by the Data Processing Section.

20 DSOs, 2 Registration Officer and 3 Receipt and Control Clerk along with 28

temporary graduate students were involved for manual processing. Selection of processors:

The processors were selected from the census supervisors and enumerators who

took part in the census data collection. About 53 personnel were involved in the

manual processing. The manual processing started from 1st

July to 30th September 2005.

Duties and Responsibilities of DSO: Responsible to check all the forms

received from the enumerators under their District.

To monitor the activities carry out by the manual processors.

Responsible for verifying the data that are found to be mistaken in the questionnaire.

Duties and Responsibilities of Receipt and Control Clerk (RCC):

Responsible to check the questionnaire submitted by the DSO.

In-charge of controlling the flow of census forms within the Data Processing Section at

the OCC.Duties and Responsibilities of

Processor: Responsible to ensure that the questionnaires were ready for data

encoding. Responsible to verify the geographic identification of Forms PHCB-2A, 2B, 2C,

2D and check the legibility and acceptability of the entries therein and coding of

occupation and industry.

STANDARD NAMES OF PLACES AND CODES FOR THE

DISTRICTS, GEWOGS AND TOWNS, PHCB 2005

Table 1 : List of Districts, Gewogs, Towns and their

codes

DISTRICT DISTRICT GEWOG/GEWOG / TOWN

NAME

CODE NAMETOWN

CODE

11Bumthan

g 1101 Chhokor

11Bumthan

g 1102 Chumey

11Bumthan

g 1103 Tang

11Bumthan

g 1104 Ura

Language code for the PHCB, 2005

Code Name Code Name01 Dzongkha 11 Lhenggkha 02 Sharchopkha 12 Dangchupkha03 Lhotsamkha 13 Rukhupjikha04 Khengkha 14 Nangkey05 Bumtapkha 15 Tshengkey06 Mangdikha 16 Likha07 Kurtoepkha 17 Sherpakha08 Yangtsepkha 18 Subbakha09 Sephukha 19 Taksapkha10 Hangkikha 20 Layap

Country code for PHCB 2005

Code Name Code Name

21 Netherlands 31 Brazil

22 Denmark 32 Mexico

23 Norway 33 Belgium

24 Sweden 34 Finland

25 France 35 Ireland

26 Itlay 36 Poland

27 Austria 37 Portugal

28 Australia 38 Russia

29 USA 39 Spain

30 Argentina 40 Turkey

Annexure 1

BHUTAN OCCUPATION CODE used for PHCB 2005

CODE OCCUPATION

01 Armed force

   

011 Army

   

11 Legislators and senior officials

   

111 Ministers, Deputy Ministers

   

112Secretary,Jt.Secretary, Directors, Dzongda, Dzongrab,

Dungpa

   

113 Chimis, Gups.

   

Annexure 2Major Group 1: International Standard Classification ofOccupation (ISCO 88)

Major Group 1 : Legislators, senior officials and managers

11 . Legislators and senior officials

111 . Legislators

112 . Senior government officials

113 . Traditional chiefs and heads of villages

114 . Senior official of special interest Organisation

THANK YOU