Population and housing census

Statistics from the Population and housing census 2011 to continue

Published:

In 2011, a population and housing census was conducted without a questionnaire for the first time. Instead, data was taken from registers in other government agencies, such as the Norwegian Tax Administration, the Norwegian Mapping Authority and NAV. The statistics for households and dwellings that are based on registers have now been harmonised. As a result, many of the statistics from the Population and housing census 2011 can be published annually.

Written by: Espen Andersen / Harald Utne

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The population and housing censuses collect statistics on various social conditions in Norway. They contain information about the composition of the population, families and households, employment and housing. A total of 22 nationwide censuses have been conducted in Norway, the first of which was in 1769 and the most recent in 2011.

As many as possible of the statistics from the Population and housing census 2011 will be included in other statistics and released annually. The overview shows which statistics from the population and housing census have been incorporated into other statistics.

Population and housing census, main figures

A distinction has been made between the types of settlement known as densely and sparsely populated areas in Statistics Norway since the 1960 census.

The Population and housing census 2011 only includes persons registered as resident in Norway, including those who live on Svalbard. The Svalbard statistics, however, include not only residents in the Norwegian settlements, but also those in the Russian and Polish settlements. The census will therefore show a lower number of residents on Svalbard.

Population and housing census, main figures now form part of the following statistics:

  • Population
    The statistics show the composition of the population by sex, age, marital status, citizenship and place of residence as of 1 January.
  • Population and land area in urban settlements
  • The statistics show the population broken down into densely/sparsely population areas, and land use in urban settlements.

 

Population and housing census, employment and education

Employment

The register-based employment statistics have evolved from the employee statistics, which were first published in 1983.

In connection with the Population and housing census 2001, the employee statistics were developed into complete employment statistics. As from the release in 2001, the statistics have contained both employees and the self-employed.

Employment and unemployment: figures for employment are comparable with the annual register-based employment statistics for the age group 15-74 years. Unlike the employment statistics, the population and housing census also gives figures for employees aged 75 years and older. Due to a harmonisation of the employment and unemployment statistics, the unemployment figures in the Population and housing census 2011 are lower than in the statistics of registered unemployed persons.

Employment among students and pupils: in the Population and housing census 2011, the employment rate for students is about 9 percentage points higher than in the Survey of living conditions among students (2010). In the Population and housing census 2011, everyone undertaking education as a student or pupil is included, but in the living conditions survey there is a requirement for study progression. Persons who study part time or who are not active students during certain periods, are assumed to be mostly in employment. Since these are included in the student population in the population and housing census, the employment rate will be higher than in the living conditions survey.

Education

Data on education from universities and university colleges is combined with education data from other types of educational institutions, and is included in the National Education Database (NUDB).

Population and housing census, employment and education  now form part of the following statistics:

  • Employment, register-based
    The statistics show employment by place of residence and county of work broken down by, for example, industry, occupation, average age and level of education. Figures for State employees and commuters are also included. 
  • Population’s level of education
    The statistics show the population’s level of education broken down by, for example, sex and age.
  • Students at universities and university colleges
    The statistics show students in Norway broken down by, for example, sex, age, educational institution and subject area.

 

Population and housing census, dwellings

The annual statistics on dwellings that have been released up to 2011 only give figures for dwellings in total. Compared with these statistics, the dwelling figures in the Population and housing census 2011 were revised up by 48 600.

In the Population and housing census 2011, only figures for dwellings in total by building type and year of construction are published. Distribution by building type is fully comparable with the dwelling statistics for 2011. Due to the revision of data after the dwelling statistics for 2011 were released, the proportion of dwellings with an unspecified year of construction has decreased. If we disregard this, comparability for year of construction is good. Breakdowns by available space in the Population and housing census 2011 are less comparable with corresponding figures in the dwelling statistics for 2011.

Population and housing census, dwellings now form part of the following statistics:

  • Dwellings
    The dwellings statistics give an overview of the number of dwellings by, for example, building type and year of construction. 

 

Population and housing census, households

The data in the Population and housing census 2011 is mostly the same as in the annual household statistics as at 1 January 2011, but some adjustments have been made; about 13 000 persons in the annual statistics who were included in private households in the Population and housing census 2011 have an unspecified household status. As from 2012, the annual household statistics are based on the same type of data as the Population and housing census 2011.

Population and housing census, households now form part of the following statistics:

  • Families and households
    The families and households statistics show the composition of families and households as at 1 January.

 

Population and housing census, households’ income

Statistics Norway currently has no statistics that are directly comparable with the income statistics from the population and housing census. Please refer, therefore, to similar statistics.

Tax statistics for personal taxpayers are an important basis for income and wealth statistics. The tax statistics contain information from the tax returns of personal taxpayers who pay tax to Norway, as well as assessed taxes. The statistics were first available as a total count of the register in 1993.

Income and wealth statistics for households were a representative sample survey that was conducted annually from 1986 to 2004. Since 2005, households have been obtained using register data. This means that full-coverage income statistics can be presented at the household level.

Population and housing census, households’ income now form part of the following statistics:

  • Income and wealth statistics for households
    The statistics show general income and wealth developments and the distribution among different types of households. The statistics also present measurements of income such as living condition indicators, and data that measures households’ financial resources for saving and consumption.

 

International comparisons

Most countries in the world conduct censuses, but the way they are conducted varies. Nevertheless, the results still need to be comparable, which means that much of the information collected is the same. The Eurostat (statistical office of the European Union) website provides comparable statistics from the population and housing censuses for EU and EFTA countries.

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