ARUBA

1. Name and address of the organization responsible for the census:

Central Bureau of Statistics, L.G. Smith Boulevard no. 160.

2. Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1981, 1991 and 2000. The present description relates to the 2000 population census (held on 14 October 2000).

3. Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope: Whole country.

(b) Persons covered: All persons of all ages.

4. Reference period:

The week preceding the census day.

5. Main topics:

(a) Total population, by sex and age: yes

Economically active population by:

(b) Sex and age group: yes

(c) Industry: yes

(d) Occupation: yes

(e) Status in employment: yes

(f) Highest educational level: yes

(g) Hours of work: yes

(h) Other characteristics: yes

Re (a): The age is defined in terms of date of birth.

Re (g): Employed persons were asked to specify their usual hours of work.

Re (h): The census also collected information on: means of transport to travel to workplace; duration of employment; reason why a person is out of work; how many months an unemployed person worked in his/her previous job; income and source of income.

6. Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population: It comprises all persons aged 14 years and over who, during the reference week, were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below. The definition includes members of the armed forces.

(b) Employment: Considered as employed are all persons who gave an affirmative reply to the question: “Do you have a job for which you worked four hours or more in the past week (or would have worked if you had not been away due to vacation, illness, pregnancy, or a labour dispute, etc)?”

It is reported that the following categories are included:

i)         persons doing unpaid work in family firm or business;

ii)        employed persons, temporarily absent from work;

iii)       working students with a part time job;

iv)       conscripts for military/civilian service;

v)         apprentices and trainees.

Only persons belonging to categories (i), (iii) and (iv) can be identified separately.

(c) Unemployment: Considered as unemployed are all persons who, during the reference period, did not work for at least four hours, and gave an affirmative reply to the two following questions: “Have you been actively looking for work in the past month or were you busy with preparations for starting your own business?” and “If you find a job or start your own business would you be able to start working within two weeks?”.  Students seeking work are excluded from the definition.

7. Classifications used:

Both employed and unemployed persons are classified by industry and by occupation. Status in employment is ascertained only for employed persons.

(a) Industry: Based on the question: “Where do you (did you) work?  work address; name of company/organization; type of activity engaged by the company (employer)?”.   For coding industry,  ISIC-rev.2 was used to the group (4-digit) level.

(b) Occupation: Based on the question: What type of work do you or did you mainly perform? name of profession or job; job description?” For coding occupation, ISCO-88 was used to the unit group (4-digit) level.

(c) Status in employment:   Six groups were used for coding this variable, namely: employer (3 or more employees); own small business (0 to 3 employees); wage or salary earner or permanent or temporary staff; wage or salary earner for standby work, odd jobs; unpaid working relative (in family business); other (volunteer, member in cooperative, etc).

(d) Level of education:   Based on the question:  “What is the highest diploma that you have received? Type of diploma; field of study (no courses)?”. For coding education, ISCED-76 was used to the unit group (4-digit) level.

8. Main differences compared with the previous census:

Questions were added and others omitted concerning the following topics: literacy; education; health; facilities in the living quarter; inconveniences in the neighbourhood of the living quarter

9. Publication of the census results:

The final census data were issued in June 2001 in a publication entitled “Selected Tables - Fourth Population and Housing Census, Aruba - October 14, 2000”.

Special Census Reports:

- People of Aruba: continuity and change (Demographic Profile);

- Social Atlas;

- The position of the handicapped on Aruba;

- Traffic to/from work/home;

- Living conditions of the elderly;

- Current developments of Aruba’s labour market.

The organization responsible for the publication is the Central Bureau of Statistics of Aruba, L.G. Smith Boulevard no. 160.

The census results are also available in the form of CD’s in PDF-format. Unpublished tables are available on request.