Sources and Methods: Labour Statistics
Volume 5: Population Censuses

Virgin Islands (US)

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

Eastern Caribbean Center, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas Campus, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802.

2.Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1950, 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1990. The present description relates to the 1990 census (held on 1st April).

3.Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope

Whole area.

(b) Persons covered

All persons of all ages.

4.Reference period:

The week preceding the day of the census and the year prior to the census year.

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 classification is based on the age of the person in completed years on the day of the census.

Re (g): When using the short reference period: hours of work relate both to usual hours of work of employed persons and to actual hours worked by employed persons, at work. When using the long reference period: employed persons were asked to specify the total period worked during the whole year 1989, expressed in months, weeks, days and hours.

Re (h): When using the short reference period, the census collected information on means of transport used and time spent to go to work. When using the long reference period, information was asked on persons' total income and sources of income in 1989.

6.Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population

It comprises all persons aged 16 years and over who, during the reference week, were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below. The definition also includes members of the armed forces. However, working students with a part-time job as well as students seeking work are excluded from the definition.

(b) Employment

The main question used to determine if a person is to be counted as employed is: Did X work at any time last week, either full time or part time?.

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. seasonal or occasional workers;
  4. conscripts for military/civilian service;
  5. multiple-job holders.
All above categories can be identified separately through specific questions.

(c) Unemployment

Considered as unemployed are all persons who, during the reference week, were without work and seeking work. To determine if a person is to be counted as unemployed, the following questions were used: Was X on layoff from a job or business last week?, Has X been looking for work during the last 4 weeks? and Could X have taken a job last week if one had been offered?.

7.Classifications used:

Both employed persons and unemployed persons previously employed are classified by industry, by occupation and by status in employment. The questions asked related to the job worked last week (if the person had more than one job, s/he was asked to describe the one where s/he worked the most hours; if the person did not work last week, the questions referred to the most recent job or business since 1985).

(a) Industry

Based on the questions: For whom did X work and what kind of business or industry was this? and Is this mainly: manufacturing; wholesale trade; retail trade; other (agriculture, construction, service, government, etc.?. For coding industry, seven groups of the National Classification were used. Links to the ISIC have not been established.

(b) Occupation

Based on the questions: What kind of work was X doing? and What were X's most important activities or duties?. For coding occupation, 39 groups of the National Classification were used. Links to the ISCO have not been established.

(c) Status in employment

Based on the question: Was X: Employee of a PRIVATE FOR PROFIT company, business or individual for wages, salary or commissions; Employee of a PRIVATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT, tax exempt, or charitable organization; Local GOVERNMENT employee (territorial, etc.); Federal GOVERNMENT employee; SELF-EMPLOYED in own NOT INCORPORATED business, professional practice or farm; SELF-EMPLOYED in own INCORPORATED business, professional practice or farm; Working WITHOUT PAY in family business or farm?. For coding status in employment, the above seven groups were used.

8.Main differences compared with the previous census:

No major difference.

9.Publication of the census results:

The title of the documents containing the final census results are STF-3 Summary Tape, File 3 (diskette, magnetic tape and CD-ROM) and CPH-5-55, Summary Social, Economic and Housing Characteristics (printed), 1992.

The organization responsible for these documents is the Bureau of the Census, Data User Services Division, Customer Services, Washington, D.C. 20233.

The census results are also available in CD-ROM, magnetic tape, diskette and printed reports.