When did the census begin?

The primary census was carried out in Ancient Greece, Babylon, Mesopotamia, Rome, China, Japan and Egypt. The purpose of the censuses was to collect taxes from the population, that is, to collect duties and determine the population for military purposes. Therefore, in these lists of the population mostly men are registered. Because at that time the economic situation of men was high, only men, that is, heads of families, participated in taxation.

The first official census was conducted in 1790 in the USA, later in 1800 in Sweden and Finland, and in 1801 in England, Denmark, Norway and France. However, these population lists are in very simple form and are extended for a long time. For example, the first census in the United States was conducted within 18 months.

By the 19th century, the census had expanded significantly. Statistical organizations have been created in several European countries. Work has been done on conducting a census based on scientific programs. In particular, in 1870-1879 in 48 states of the world, and in 1890 - in 57 censuses were conducted. Whereas at the end of the 19th century 21% of the world population was registered, at the beginning of the 20th century 54% of the population was registered. 

After World War II, the census system was improved. In the years 1945-1954 - held in 151 states, in 1965-1974 - held in 179 states. Currently, almost all countries of the world are working on a census. 

An important role in studying the state of demographic processes in the republic is played by census data conducted on the territory of the country. The sources say that the first census in Uzbekistan was conducted in 1897, the data of which at the end of the 19th century contributed to the formation of a classification of demographic processes in Uzbekistan, such as the number of families, population, age and gender, ethnic composition, birth, death. Later, census work was organized on the territory of Uzbekistan in 1926, 1939, 1959, 1970, 1979 and 1989.

According to international recommendations, the census is based on the following important principles:

1. Centralization. Strict centralization of census management is one of the main conditions for the success of this event.
2. Census regularity. According to UN recommendations, population registration is carried out at least once every 10 years.
3. The census is conducted by specially trained enumeration specialists. A large number of special employees will be hired for this event, which may include both the intelligentsia and students.
4. Conducting a census at a specific time. Usually, this event takes 10-12 days. Although the census is carried out over several days, the data are recorded at a certain point - most often as of 0 hours on the first day of the census. This is also called the critical moment of the census.

For example, if a child was born during the census, then after this specific period he will not be included in the population list. But, if someone dies after a critical moment, he will be included in the population list, since he was alive at the critical moment of the census.

5. The presence of a planned clear census program. The census program includes a list of questions that the population answers. The procedures for registering, collecting, processing data, publishing final data meet certain census requirements.
6. Full coverage of the population. Ensuring registration of the present population is the main task.
7. Confidentiality of personal data. In a census on an individual basis, individual data is collected about each person. Moreover, the anonymity of the data received from the respondents is guaranteed. A census sheet is used only to summarize the results.
8. Volunteering Information about the person is recorded on the basis of the answers of the requested (respondent) person (for minors - parents or persons replacing them), and documentary evidence of this is not required.

In many countries, census regulation is enshrined in law.

For example, in the United Kingdom in 1920, the United Kingdom Census Act was passed. This law defines all the census rules, which categories of citizens, households, enterprises and institutions should be registered, who should conduct the census, what polls should be. In addition, the rules for the employment of meters that register the population, their official duties and the rules for registering the population are indicated.

In the UK, about a year before the last census, a separate legislative act is passed on this (while always referring to the legislative act of 1920). This law specifies the census methodology, sets the term for registration of the population and the amount of funds allocated for this. In the UK, a census is carried out every ten years, usually in April. The choice of this date is explained by the fact that the weather in the country favors mass events among the population.

Strict requirements are imposed on social workers who participate in the census in the country. They must be trained in special courses. This requires that employees be familiar with filling out a questionnaire in their regions three days before the start of registration. 

In the United States, a census has been conducted since 1790, every 10 years. The census is based on the centuries-old legislative basis of the country. 

Article 1 of the US Constitution, adopted in the eighteenth century, states that "seats in the House of Representatives and direct taxes are allocated on the basis of their population to the member states of the Union ... The current population is regularly calculated within three years after the first meeting of Congress The United States, and then every ten years, ”the report said.

Traditionally, the census in the United States is seen as an important national event in which the participation of the entire population is assessed as a necessary condition for the existence of American democracy. 

The census in Poland has a long history. The event was held here for the first time in Europe - in 1764. 

Currently, population registration in the country is based on international standards. At this event, which is held every 10 years, the population will have to answer questions such as tradition: age, gender, data, place of work, nationality, as well as the availability of housing and its equipping with household appliances. But questions about household members and housing consist of 34 questions. 

In accordance with the 1999 Polish Census Act, citizens can admit a registrar to their home, answer their questions or fill out a questionnaire on their own. But for citizens who were not familiar with the census procedures in detail, it was not easy, the reason is that the census instructions consisted of 200 sheets.

By law, every citizen of Poland is obliged to answer questionnaire questions fully and fairly. A penalty will be imposed for evading the provision of information, and a penalty of imprisonment will be imposed for the provision of false information. 

During the years of independence, a population census was not conducted in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Changes in the population, age and gender composition, features of territorial distribution and other socio-demographic conditions significantly limit the use of existing data on current population records. 

Based on these pressing issues and international requirements, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated February 5, 2019 No. UP-5655 and “The concept of conducting a population census in the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2022” was approved. This decree provides for the following.

Firstly, the Republic of Uzbekistan approved the Concept of conducting a population census in 2022. 

Secondly, the Republic of Uzbekistan has developed a program of comprehensive measures to conduct a population census for 2022. 

Thirdly, the composition and tasks of the Republican and territorial commissions to assist in the census in the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2022 were determined. 

Fourth, the tasks were assigned to develop the draft Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the census”.

This bill will provide for the definition of the purpose, procedure and timing of the census; conducting and organizing events for population registration on the basis of modern technologies and techniques; determination of the tasks, functions and responsibilities of public authorities and administrations involved in the census; identification of specific mechanisms and sources of remuneration for individuals and legal entities to participate in these processes; determination of the conditions and procedure for conducting a census. It was noted that in order to achieve the final results, it is necessary to take into account organizational, practical, legal, economic and other measures. 

The concept of conducting a population census in the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2022 provides for the following. 

Firstly, the goals and main tasks of the census event are highlighted. 

Secondly, the stages of preparation and holding of the event are determined. 

Thirdly, the participants in the event, the hiring of temporary staff and their responsibilities are described in detail. 

Fourth, the implementation directions of the automated information system of the event were taken into account. 

Fifth, the financial sources of the event are indicated. 

Sixth, the expected results from the census event

The work on the preparation and conduct of the census is a comprehensive event, which includes three stages.

At the first stage (up to 3 years), the following works are carried out: 

normative legal acts are being prepared that regulate the organization and conduct of events for the registration of the population, the definition of principles, methodological foundations and sources of financing; 

a methodology will be developed for organizing census activities, obtaining and announcing results; 

on the basis of a trial census, work is underway to prepare and conduct an event to register the population and analyze its results; 

each registrar is provided with cards on its territory; 

compiled an organizational plan of lists of houses in settlements, the number of residents;

an inventory of the numbering of houses and street names is carried out;

creation of an automated system for obtaining and presenting final results;

outreach to the census; 

registration sheets and other documents are printed and delivered to field specialists; 

organizing work to provide registration plots with buildings, vehicles and communications; 

temporary staff participating in the census are trained and provided with the necessary facilities;

Other work related to the preparation of census activities will be carried out.

At the second stage (period from 10 to 60 days), the census is carried out directly, that is, data on the population are collected, control checks are carried out and the materials of the census measures are submitted to specialized structures for processing. 

At the third stage (period from 2 to 3 years):

 the primary materials of the census event are adopted by specialized data processing structures; 

 materials are prepared for processing in an automated system; 

input, coding, control and editing of primary data; 

preliminary census results will be obtained; 

Work will be done to publish and disseminate the census results.

The authorized body for the census is the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics, which performs the following important tasks: 

a) the preparation of scientific, methodological and guidance materials on the conduct of census activities with the participation of important scientific and higher educational institutions;

b) ensure the appointment of heads of registration departments, supervisors (instructor-supervisors) from the composition of employees of state statistics bodies, coordinating the work of the census in each village; 

c) in conjunction with district (city) khokimiyats in the field, conducts training for registrars, as well as practical exercises on filling out registration forms in a test form, followed by an analysis of errors and an explanation of the difficulties encountered (training ends after checking the trained employees for the correct assimilation of the material they are studying and readiness for registration work) ;;

d) together with the Ministry of Development of Information Technologies and Communications of the Republic of Uzbekistan: 

organizes and holds tenders for the purchase of material and technical means of processing the registration results, provides server equipment, scanners and other office equipment that provides machine-readable census forms;

 creates an automated census data entry and processing system; 

develops software for obtaining the results of census activities; 

e) in coordination with the National News Agency of Uzbekistan, the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan, information and mass communication agencies coordinates the work of informing the population about census activities, conducting outreach among the population to actively participate in census events, issuing commercials, slogans and other similar events. 

The event will bring together not only employees of statistical agencies, but also other bodies of state and economic administration of the Republic. Including:

The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and the State Cadastre provides the preparation of cartographic material (a schematic plan of urban and rural settlements, maps of administrative regions) in the amount necessary for the census event. 

The Uzarhiv Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan coordinates the work on storing census forms and other census documents, and also maintains a permanent storage of consolidated census documents after their processing. 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan carries out: 

 the complete safety of the persons involved in the census and the safety of the census materials; 

protects the buildings and cargoes of the census bodies during the census; 

In addition, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, khokimiyats of regions and the city of Tashkent, khokimiyats of districts (cities) are entrusted with a number of tasks:

to allocate temporary premises equipped with furniture and communication facilities suitable for reading and work by persons participating in the registration event, as well as secured premises for temporary storage of registration sheets and other documents; 

to provide the registration areas with the necessary transport and communication means; 

together with the bodies of the state cadastre and state statistics, compile a complete list of settlements with an indication of the population permanently residing in them.

Separate work on the preparation and conduct of the census is carried out on a competitive basis conducted by contractors involved in the competition for the purchase of products and services, namely: conducting awareness-raising activities among the population; publication of cartographic materials; publication of registration materials; material and technical support; transportation of registration materials; carrying out technological design work and software development .; data entry of registration sheets, automated processing, etc. 

If necessary, other ministries, departments, organizations, legal entities and individuals may be additionally involved to assist in the preparation and conduct of the census event. 

So, what does the census event in our republic give us?

Firstly, at a certain date, detailed information will be obtained on the exact population (age and gender, citizenship, ethnic composition (complex), the number of all settlements, marital status, level of information, level of housing, labor, economically active population, employment (professions and specialties) and unemployment, sources of income, disability. 

Secondly, census data are used in calculating macroeconomic indicators per capita (gross domestic product, population income, industrial output, consumer goods, volume of services rendered to the population, agricultural products). 

Thirdly, information on population migration is being generated. 

Fourth, it is used as information in targeted development of programs for the socio-economic development of the Republic and regions, to increase employment, the health of women and children, and to provide assistance to families. 

Fifthly, it is used as a database for organizing sample observations organized by statistical agencies. 

Sixth, it is used in the formation and monitoring of indicators of the implementation of the goals of national sustainable development.

Seventh, it is used in planning the use and allocation of labor resources, in improving the infrastructure of settlements, including for long-term forecasts of socio-economic development. 

Eighth, the census is a comprehensive source of information for analysis conducted by international organizations and users. 

Such data are necessary for forecasting socio-economic processes, establishing employment policies, creating social policy and public health programs, as well as for performing the functions of state authorities, providing information support to science and society. 

State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics

Head of Demography and Labor Statistics

Berdikulov K.G.