JAMAICA

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

Statistical Institute of Jamaica, 97B Church Street, Kingston.

2. Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1960, 1970, 1982, 1991 and 2001. The present description relates to the 2001 population census (held on 10 September).

3. Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope: Whole country.

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

4. Reference period:

Respectively one week and one year prior to the day of the census.

5. Main topics:

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

Economically active population by:

(b) Sex and age group: 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 age at last birthday.

Re (g): Hours of work relate to the number of hours worked by employed persons during the short reference period and to the number of months they worked during the long reference period.

Re (h): Employed persons were asked how much they earned from their job.

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. Members of the armed forces are included in the definition. Excluded are students working part time and students seeking work.

(b) Employment: Employment is determined on the basis of the following questions: “Did you work for at least one hour during the first week of September 2001?”. If no, “Did you do anything like farming, buying and selling during the first week of September 2001?”. If no, “Did you do any type of odd job or hustling during the first week of September 2001?”. If no, “What were you doing for most of the time during the first week of September 2001?”. The possible responses to this last question were: working in agriculture or any other business without pay; with job not working; seeking first job; seeking a job which was not the first; did not seek work but wanted work and was available; student; home duties; retired; disabled, unable to work; other; not stated. (It was necessary to include several questions describing the different types of activities, as respondents do not always regard some of these activities as work).

It is reported that the following categories are included:

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

ii) persons engaged in the production of primary products for own consumption;

iii) seasonal or occasional workers;

iv) conscripts for military/civilian service;

v) apprentices and trainees.

Only persons belonging to category i) can be identified separately.

(c) Unemployment: The question used to determine unemployment was the same as indicated under 6(b) above. Considered as unemployed were the persons who, during the reference week, were without work, wanted to work and were available for work.

7. Classifications used:

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

(a) Industry: Based on the question: “What kind of business is/was carried on at the work place?”. For coding industry the national classification was used. Links to ISIC-rev.2 have been established to the division (2-digit) level.

(b) Occupation: Based on the question: “What kind of work do you do/did you last do?”. For coding occupation the national classification was used. Links to ISCO-88 have been established to the sub-major group (2-digit) level.

(c) Status in employment: Based on the question: “Do you work for a wage, carry on your own business or what?”. For coding status in employment, seven groups were used, namely: paid employee (Government); paid employee (private enterprise); paid employee (private home); unpaid worker in agriculture or in any other type of business; own business with paid employees; own business without paid employees; not stated.

(d) Level of education: The question asked to determine the level of education attained was: “What is the highest level of education that you have attained?”. The groups used for classifying the responses were: none; pre-primary; primary; secondary; university; other tertiary; other; not stated. The classification is linked to ISCED-97.

8. Main differences compared with the previous census:

No major difference in concepts. However, sampling was introduced for the first time in a census in Jamaica. Full enumeration was made on items considered as basic (a short questionnaire form was used for this purpose) and sample enumeration (10%) for those subjects requiring more intensive interviewing and processing, e.g. economic activity.

9. Publication of the census results:

The first report containing final results from the short form was published in April 2003. Subsequent reports will publish detailed tables covering the different topics investigated in the census and for small geographic levels.

The organization responsible for the publication of the results is the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, 97 B Church Street, Kingston.

Results will also be made available on diskette, magnetic tape or compact disc and on the website of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (www.statinja.com).