Sources and Methods: Labour Statistics
Volume 5: Population Censuses

Ecuador

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

Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos (INEC), Av. 10 de Agosto 229 y Pasaje Carlos Ibarra, Quito.

2.Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1950, 1962, 1974, 1982 and 1990. The present description relates to the 1990 census (held on 25 November).

3.Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope

Whole country, except areas experiencing temporary problems with the indigenous population.

(b) Persons covered

All persons of all ages, except persons living in the areas mentioned above.

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: ...

(g) Hours of work: yes

(h) Other characteristics: yes

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

Re (g): Relates both to the usual hours of work and the hours actually worked by employed persons at work during the reference period. The question asked was How many hours did you work last week in your stated occupation?.

6.Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population

It comprises all persons aged 8 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 also included in the definition.

(b) Employment

Considered as employed are all persons who worked in employment or self-employment during the reference week. The questions used to determine if a person was employed are What did you do last week? and Did you undertake or engage in any activity last week, even without remuneration?.

It is reported that the following categories are included:

  1. persons doing unpaid work in family firm or business;
  2. employed persons, temporarily absent from work;
  3. working students with a part-time job;
  4. seasonal or occasional workers;
  5. conscripts for military/civilian service;
  6. apprentices and trainees.
None of these categories can be identified separately.

(c) Unemployment

Considered as unemployed are all persons who replied no to the questions mentioned in (b) above, and who, during the reference week, looked for work, whether or not previously employed. 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

Based on the question: What is the principle activity of the establishment or firm in which you worked?. The ISIC-rev.2 was used to the 3-digit level for coding industry, and to the 1-digit level for the publication of data.

(b) Occupation

Based on the question: What was your main occupation or work during the past week, or in your last job, if then unemployed?. For coding occupation, the ISCO-68 was used to the major group and unit group level.

(c) Status in employment

Based on the question: What was your position or category in your occupation?. The following seven categories were used to code status in employment: employer or active partner; self-employed worker; employee or wage-earner in: municipal or provincial government; state employment; private sector; unpaid family worker; other.

8.Main differences compared with the previous census:

In 1982 the lower age limit for inclusion in the economically active polulation and its component groups (employment and unemployment) was 12 years; in 1990 this age limit was lowered to 8 years.

The question used in 1982 to identify employed persons was What activity accounted for most of your time between 7 and 13 November?; in the 1990 census the question was What did you do last week?.

The 1990 census includes the questions Did you undertake or engage in any activity last week, even without remuneration? and How many hours did you work last week in your stated occupation?.

The 1990 census includes the category unable to work under the heading of activity.

In 1990 the employed or wage-earner category was broken down into the following groups: municipal or provincial government; state employment; private sector.

Lastly, the 1990 census did not include questions on social security.

9.Publication of the census results:

The title of the publication containing the final census data is V Censo de Población y IV de Vivienda 1990 - Resultados Definitivos, Resumen Nacional, November 1991.

The organization responsible for this publication is Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos - INEC, Quito.

Data from the 1990 census are also available in various other forms, upon request.