Sources and Methods: Labour Statistics
Volume 5: Population Censuses

Dominican Republic

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

Oficina Nacional de Estadística (ONE), Ave. México, Esquina Leopoldo Navarro, Edificio Gubernamental Juan Pablo Duarte (El Huacal) 9no. Piso., Santo Domingo.

2.Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1950, 1960, 1970, 1981 and 1993. The present description relates to the 1993 population census (held on 24 and 25 September).

3.Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope

Whole country.

(b) Persons covered

All persons of all ages.

4.Reference period:

The week prior to 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: no

(g) Hours of work: no

(h) Other characteristics: no

Re (a): The age is defined in terms of age at last birthday, and in terms of year of birth.

6.Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population

It comprises all persons aged 10 years and over who, during the reference week, were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below. All members of the armed forces are included in the definition.

(b) Employment

Considered as employed are all persons who, during the reference week, performed some work or had a job, received pay for work done that week, or did unpaid work at home or in a family firm or business. The question used is: Which of the following best describes your situtation last week?
  1. in paid employment;
  2. not at work, but have a job;
  3. doing unpaid work for a family member;
  4. previously employed and seeking work;
  5. retired, no longer working;
  6. homemaker;
  7. non-working student;
  8. first-time jobseeker;
  9. unable to work owing to permanent disability;
  10. not interested in working;
  11. not seeking work, but would accept work if it were offered;
  12. independent means.
It is reported that the following categories are included:
  1. persons doing unpaid work in family firm or business;
  2. persons engaged in the production of primary products for own consumption;
  3. employed persons, temporarily absent from work;
  4. working students with a part-time job;
  5. conscripts for military/civilian service.
All categories can be identified separately.

(c) Unemployment

Considered as unemployed are all persons who, during the reference week, did not work, or who had not worked previously but were seeking work. Both previously employed persons and first-time jobseekers are included. Students looking for work are excluded from the definition.

7.Classifications used:

Both employed persons and unemployed persons previously employed are classified by industry, by occupation and by status in employment.

(a) Industry

To determine industry group, persons were asked to indicate the activity of the organization, business, firm or office in which they work or last worked. For coding this variable, 10 groups of the national classification were used. Links to the ISIC-rev.2 have been established to the major division (1-digit) level.

(b) Occupation

To determine occupation group, persons were asked to indicate their function or job in their current or most recent place of work. For coding this variable, 10 groups of the national classification were used. Links to the ISCO-68 have been established to the major group (1-digit) level.

(c) Status in employment

To determine this variable, persons were asked to indicate which of the following five categories applied to them: proprietor or employer, self-employed worker, household employee, wage earner (employee, worker, day labourer), and unpaid family worker.

8.Main differences compared with the previous census:

The 1981 census was carried out de jure and de facto, while the 1993 census was only de facto.

The 1981 census used 14 questions to determine the employment situation, which made it possible to go deeper into economic characteristics. The questions which were not included in the 1993 census were:

If you did not work, how did you spend most of your time last week?

How long have you been without work?

How many hours did you work last week in all your jobs?

Who was your main employer last week, or in your most recent job?

The 1981 census measured annual or monthly earned income. The 1993 census, on the other hand, measured weekly earned income. The time-frame for the 1981 census was one year or one month.

9.Publication of the census results:

The title of the publication containing the final census results is Censo Nacional de Población y Vivienda 24 y 25 de septiembre de 1993; Resultados definitivos Region Sur-Oeste Vol. I, Junio de 1996.

The organization responsible for this publication is Oficina nacional de estadística, ave. Mexico, Esquina Leopoldo Navarro, edificio gubernamental Juan Pablo Duarte (El Huacal), 9no. Piso.

The census results are also available in the form of diskettes and unpublished tables.