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UN Census “Households†and Local Interpretations in Africa Since Independence

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Randall
  • Ernestina Coast
  • Philippe Antoine
  • Natacha Compaore
  • Fatou-Binetou Dial
  • Alexandra Fanghanel
  • Sadio Ba Gning
  • Bilampoa Gnoumou Thiombiano
  • Valérie Golaz
  • Stephen Ojiambo Wandera

Abstract

Since the 1950s, the UN Statistical Division has encouraged nations to standardize the definitions used in data collection. A key concept in censuses and surveys is the household: This is the unit for which information is collected and analyzed, and is thus an important dimension of data that are the basis for many policies. We aim to understand the tensions between conformity with UN guidelines and national priorities. We analyze the documentation around the UN household definition over this period. Using detailed census and survey documentary data for several African countries, especially Burkina Faso, Senegal, Uganda, and Tanzania, we examine the disparities between national census definitions of “household†and the UN definition. Perspectives from interviews with key informants within national statistical offices demonstrate the variability in the importance accorded to the UN harmonization aims and the problems that arise when these standardized approaches interact with local norms and living arrangements.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Randall & Ernestina Coast & Philippe Antoine & Natacha Compaore & Fatou-Binetou Dial & Alexandra Fanghanel & Sadio Ba Gning & Bilampoa Gnoumou Thiombiano & Valérie Golaz & Stephen Ojiambo Wander, 2015. "UN Census “Households†and Local Interpretations in Africa Since Independence," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(2), pages 21582440155, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:5:y:2015:i:2:p:2158244015589353
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244015589353
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sara Randall & Ernestina Coast, 2015. "Poverty in African Households: the Limits of Survey and Census Representations," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(2), pages 162-177, February.
    2. Steven Ruggles & Misty Heggeness, 2008. "Intergenerational Coresidence in Developing Countries," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 34(2), pages 253-281, June.
    3. Enock F. Ching'anda & James P.M. Ntozi, 1998. "Training Employees for African Statistical Offices," International Statistical Review, International Statistical Institute, vol. 66(2), pages 235-244, August.
    4. Randall, Sara & Coast, Ernestina & Compaore, Natacha & Antoine, Philippe, 2013. "The power of the interviewer: a qualitative perspective on African survey data collection," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 48277, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    5. Sara Randall & Ernestina Coast & Natacha Compaore & Philippe Antoine, 2013. "The power of the interviewer," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 28(27), pages 763-792.
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    1. Ernestina Coast & Alex Fanghanel & Eva Lelièvre & Sara Randall, 2016. "Counting the Population or Describing Society? A Comparison of English and Welsh and French Censuses," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 32(2), pages 165-188, May.
    2. Sara Randall & Ernestina Coast, 2016. "The quality of demographic data on older Africans," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 34(5), pages 143-174.

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