MALAYSIA

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

Department of Statistics Malaysia, Block C6, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62514 Putrajaya, Malaysia.

2. Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1947 and 1957 (Peninsular Malaysia), 1960 (Sabah and Sarawak), 1970, 1980, 1991 and 2000 (whole of Malaysia).  The present description relates to the 2000 population census (held on 5 July).

3. Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope: Whole country.

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

4. Reference period:

Based on the de jure approach whereby all persons were enumerated according to their place of usual residence. (‘Usual residence’ referred to at least a six-month period of residence before or after Census Night).  Enumeration was carried out between 5 – 20 July 2000.

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:  no

(h) Other characteristics:  no

Re (a): The age is defined 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 period, were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below.  However, the published results on occupation and industry only relate to persons aged 15 to 64 years, while labour force population results are shown for ages 10 years and over.  Members of the armed forces are included in the definition.

(b) Employment: Considered as employed are all persons who, during the reference period, worked at least one hour. The questions asked to determine whether a person was employed were “Did you work at least one hour during the last seven days?” and for employed persons not at work “Do you have any work to return to?”.

It is reported that the following categories are included:

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

ii)        employed persons, temporarily absent from work;

iii)       working students with a part-time job;

iv)       seasonal or occasional workers;

v)         conscripts for military/civilian service;

vi)       apprentices and trainees.

Categories (i) and (ii) can be identified separately. Seasonal or occasional workers are included only if they are working during the reference period.

(c) Unemployment: Considered as unemployed are all persons who, during the reference period, were without work and seeking work. The questions asked to determine whether a person is to be considered as unemployed were “Did you look for work during the last seven days?” and “What is the main reason for not seeking work?  1) believe no suitable job available / bad weather / sick / confinement / will start new job / waiting for answers to job applications / no qualification; 2) housewife; 3) still schooling; 4) going for further studies; 5) handicapped/disabled; 6) not interested; 7) retired / too old; 8) too young; 9) others (specify)”.

7. Classifications used:

Only employed persons were classified by industry, by occupation and by status in employment.

(a) Industry: Based on the questions: “What are the activities, services, products of your place of work?” and “What is the name and address of your employer?”.  For coding industry, a 5-digit classification was used, based on ISIC-rev.3.

(b) Occupation: Based on the questions: “What is your occupation?” and “What are your duties/nature of your work?”. For coding occupation, a 5-digit classification was used, based on ISCO-88, with modifications to suit national requirements.

(c) Status in employment: Based on the question: “What is your employment status?”.  Four groups were used for coding status in employment, namely: (i) Employer; (ii) Employee; (iii) Self-employed; and (iv) Unpaid family worker.

(d) Level of education:  Based on the question: What is the highest level of education attained/currently studying?”.  For coding level of education, the following categories were used: (i) Pre-school; (ii) Primary school (Standard 1-6); (iii) Lower secondary (Forms 1-3); (iv) Upper Secondary (Forms 4-5, GCE ‘O’ level); (v) Vocational/Technical (Forms 4-5); (vi) Trade and Technical Skills Institution; (vii) Post secondary (Form 6, GCE ‘A’ level, Matriculation); (viii) Tertiary (Polytechnic/College/University).

Four other questions were asked on education: (i) “Have you ever been to school/college/polytechnic/university?”;  (ii) “What is the highest certificate/diploma/degree you have attained?”; (iii) “Where did you obtain your certificate/diploma/degree?” and (iv) “What was your main field of study?”.  The detailed classification on ‘field of study’ used at the 5-digit level was developed by the Department of Statistics, based on ISCED-97, only at the 1-digit level. This was the first time that this classification was used in the census.

8. Main differences compared with the previous census:

The 2000 census used a de jure approach (count based on place of usual residence) for the first time whereas the 1991 census used a de facto approach (count based on place found on Census Night).

Some new questions were introduced in the 2000 census, i.e. (i) field of study and (ii) garbage collection facility for living quarters.

9. Publication of the census results:

Two preliminary reports covering various geographical areas (e.g. Malaysia, State, Administrative Districts; Mukims; Local Authority areas and Urban/Rural areas) were published over the period 2000-2001. The final reports are based on topics and include information for all states and at the Malaysia level.  Three final reports were released in 2002 and another four are due out in 2003.  A census atlas is also being planned.

In addition, the census results are available in unpublished tables.  Publications are also made available on CDs.