What is a census?

According to the United Nations, a population Census is the whole process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing and publishing or in one way or the other, disseminating demographic, economic and social data, pertaining to a specific moment in time, to all individuals in a country or in a well-defined part of a country (Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses, 1998).

A Census is the most important source of information regarding the size, structure and characteristics of a population. Before the start of a Census, “a Census moment” is determined. All information gathered during the Census refers to the situation at that particular point in time.

In most countries a population Census is held every 10 years. However, in some countries such as Japan, Austria and Canada, a Census is held every 5 years. In Aruba, the population Census is conducted every 10 years. In order to optimize the comparability of the compiled data, the United Nations recommends conducting a Census every year ending with “0” (e.g. 1990, 2000, 2010, etc.). The Central Bureau of Statistics Aruba follows the recommendations of the United Nations as close as possible. Therefore, the next Census will take place in September / October 2010 in Aruba, exactly 10 years after the prior Census which took place in October 2000.

In many countries population Censuses are combined with the housing Census. Since 1971 the population counts in Aruba were combined with housing counts. Therefore, the next count in Aruba will be referred to as the Fifth Population and Housing Census Aruba.

Concept and definitions for households and living quarters

Household: A household if formed by one or more persons living together, who have common means for sustaining life (food, other necessities, etc…). Household types are for examples: household consisting of one person, households consisting of more persons, collective households, and homeless individuals.

Living quarter: Is a building (or part of a building) or any kind of construction (of any kind of material) in which one household resides or that has been renovated in such a manner that allows one household to reside in it. A construction is a living quarter (permanent or temporary) in which one household resides (e.g. a living quarter could also be a trailer, a tent, a caravan, a boat, etc). A building can consist of more than one living quarter.

Used questionaires

  1. Person questionnaire in English
  2. Living quarter questionnaire in English
  3. Household questionnaire in English
  4. Why we asked these questions?

Who has been counted?

All individuals living in Aruba on the Census night (Census moment). The Population Census in Aruba is a (‘de jure’) count according to the law. Only persons residing in Aruba has been counted. Persons (usually) residing in Aruba are:
  • persons who, on the night of the Census, have been living in Aruba for one year or longer and
  • persons who, on the night of the Census, have been living in Aruba for less than one year, but who have the intention to remain on the island for one year or longer.

Who has also been counted?

  • All individuals, notwithstanding their legal status. All individuals without a legal permit to stay on the island will also be counted.
  • All homeless individuals, including homeless addicts. All individuals that are part of our community will be counted;
  • Persons who died after the Census night (September 29th, midnight), but before the interview took place; During the interview, these individuals will be counted in the homes they belonged to on Census night.
  • Persons living in institutions, such as the Horacio Oduber Hospital, Maristella, Imeldahof, Casa Cuna, Marinierskazerne, KIA, etc. These individuals will be counted by a special team of enumerators.
  • Tourists (not even if born in Aruba);
  • Persons living less than one year in Aruba and who have no intention of staying for longer than one year;
  • Arubans living abroad (including those studying abroad);
  • Dutch Military staying in Aruba for less than one year;
  • Other persons staying in Aruba for less than one year, for example for work.

Results and official publications, analysis and papers

The results of this project where published 1 year after the project. The selected tables and other analysis done by CBS on the data gathered during this project are available for download at results on www.cbs.aw

Concepts and definitions for persons and families

Family nucleus and persons living alone: During the Census, the household will be the base of all data collected. Households will be categorized in two different types: nuclear households and households consisting of one person. For a more practical data collection and processing, individuals living alone will be considered as a family consisting of one person. A family nucleus is for example:
  1. A married couple without children
  2. A married couple with children (biological or adopted) who were never married. A father with one or more children (biological or adopted) who were never married
  3. A mother with one or more children (biological or adopted) who were never married.
Reference Person: Questions regarding the living quarter will be, in most cases, asked to the reference person. The reference person is the owner of the living quarter (if in ownership) or the one person responsible for paying the rent (if the living quarter is rented). In case the living quarter has more than one owner or more than one person is responsible for paying the rent, the eldest person is chosen as reference person.

Each person has been interviewed personally

The enumerator will personally interview each person in the household. In case a person is not found at home after the enumerator has checked several times, another person belonging to the same household can provide the enumerator with information on the person in question (for example, age, education level, work status, income etc.). Parents/guardian(s) can answer the questions for their children.

The enumerator(s) will visit all households during the Census week. They will go around day and night trying to count every person and every household. The Central Bureau of Statistics requests everyone to try to be at home and answer all the questions in a correct and concise manner. When it is not possible to attend an enumerator at the time when he/she is at the door, make an appointment. When making an appointment, make sure you are at home on the scheduled date and time.

Living quarters

There are different types of living quarters in Aruba. According to international definitions, a living quarter is occupied by one household. There are different types of living quarters, such as for example; a house, a shack, an apartment, a trailer, a tent, etc. During the Census week the enumerators visited each and every living quarter on Aruba.

Individuals living in institutions will also be counted. Institutions are for example:

  • Hotels
  • Elderly homes (Maristella, Paviljoen, San Pedro)
  • Orphanages (Casa Cuna, Imeldahof, OPC)
  • The hospital (Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital)
  • The prison (KIA)
  • Collective living quarters for workers of certain companies
  • The psychiatric institution (PAAZ)
  • The military base (Marinierskazerne)
Individuals without a home are also part of our community and will therefore also be counted and interviewed. A special team of enumerators of the Census 2010 will be in charge ofcounting this group of individuals.

Research period

The Census 2010 will took place from the 29th of September to the 6th of October 2010. During this week, the enumerators visited each and every living quarter on Aruba in order to count all individuals and all living quarters.