Review of the rolling census approach: and other survey-based options

Abstract

Census taking is changing around the world with countries looking at alternatives to the traditional approach that are based around administrative data, population registers, and large surveys. In England and Wales the Office for National Statistics is investigating such alternatives as part of its Beyond 2011 Programme. However, in the absence of a comprehensive population register, the French Rolling Census takes a purely survey-based approach to replace the traditional census while providing more regular population outputs and reducing burden. This paper reviews the French Rolling Census, and other survey-based options, contributing to the work of the Beyond 2011 Programme