Statistics Estonia meets the representatives of registers in preparation for the register-based census

Censuses are conducted every ten years. The latest census took place in 2011. Estonia has set the target to conduct the next population and housing census in 2020/2021 as a register-based census – this means that residents will not be surveyed; instead, the data available in state registers and databases will be used.

The preparations for the register-based population and housing census (REGREL) began in 2010. The first stage of the preparations entailed an extensive analysis that was finished in September 2013. The main outcome was the methodology of register-based censuses. The REGREL methodology  project (about 80% of which was funded by the European Social Fund) was a partnership between Statistics Estonia, the Estonian Institute for Population Studies of Tallinn University and the consulting firm Ernst&Young Baltic AS. The analysis was carried out by a few dozen scientists and experts from the University of Tartu and from Tallinn University, by lawyers and by analysts from Statistics Estonia. A very important role was played by the representatives of databases and registers

“The aim of today’s meeting is to review the recommendations of the methodology report one more time and to agree on the action plan for the next few years. We also want to show the representatives of registers that they play a huge role in making the census a success,” said Ms Diana Beltadze, Project Manager at Statistics Estonia. “The methodology report included a number of recommendations for registers and databases in order to improve data quality and add the necessary census variables,” explained Beltadze, and added that at this meeting they will discuss how quickly these recommendations and requirements can be implemented.

The REGREL pilot census, scheduled to take place at the end of this year, will be an important milestone. “The main purpose of the pilot census is to check that data acquisition and processing takes place as required,” said Beltadze. She added that all state registers in Estonia are required to use X-Road for data exchange, but there are still some registers and databases that do not have this capacity.

At least 17 state registers are required to provide data for a successful register-based census: RR – Population Register; EHIS – Estonian Education Information System; EMTA – Register of Taxable Persons; EHR – State Register of Construction Works; KR – Land Register; ARIREG – Commercial Register; RKOARR – State Register of State and Local Government Agencies; STAR – Register of Social Services and Benefits; ADS – Address Data System; KIRST – Health Insurance Database; KVKR – National Defence Obligation Register; PKR – State Pension Insurance Register; EMPIS (Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund) – Register of persons registered as unemployed or job-seekers, and of provision of labour market services; VANGIS – Register of Prisoners; KPR (KOPIS) – Register of Mandatory Funded Pension; TÖR – Employment Register; ETR – Register of Residence and Work Permits.