Enumerating the Netherlands

Census history 1795 – 1971

and digitization efforts

drs. L.J.G. Schreven, SOO, Statistics Netherlands (CBS)

LSHN@cbs.nl

Structure of presentation

• Census history 1795 – 1971

• Digitization efforts

What is a census?

• A count of something usually people or property

•Thousands of years old

• A modern Population Census may be defined as the total process of collecting, compiling and publishing demographic, economic and social data pertaining to all persons in a country at a specified time.

Census History 1795 – 1889

Year Census

1795 1st integral Dutch population census (French rule)

1829 1st general population census (Royal Decree 1828)

1839 2nd general population census

1849 3rd general population census

1859 4th general population census

1869 5th general population census

1879 6th general population census (Census Act 1879)

1889 7th general population and occupation census

Census History 1899 – 1971

Year Census

1899 8th general population, occupation and housing census (1st by Statistics Netherlands)

1909 9th general population, occupation and housing census

1920 10th general population, occupation and housing (1919) census

1930 11th general population, occupation and housing census

1947 12th general population, occupation and housing census

1956 Housing census

1960 13th population and occupation census

1971 14th general population, occupation and housing census (Census Act 1970)

Main census objectives

1. To determine the size of the population on a fixed point in time (statistical objective)

2. To check the reliability of the population registers (administrative objective)

3. To examine the demographic and social-economic characteristics of the population (social objective)

Population Size(statistical objective)

Two methods:

1. ‘de jure’: counting the legal population

2. ‘de facto’: counting the factual population

Factual population counted only in 1849, 1859 and 1869

Main census objectives

1. To determine the size of the population on a fixed point in time (statistical objective)

2. To check the reliability of the population registers (administrative objective)

3. To examine the demographic and social-economic characteristics of the population (social objective)

Population register(administrative objective)

Main census objectives

1. To determine the size of the population on a fixed point in time (statistical objective)

2. To check the reliability of the population registers (administrative objective)

3. To examine the demographic and social-economic characteristics of the population (social objective)

Population characteristics(social objective)

A census provides detailed information on various topics. This information can be very useful for policy decisions:

• employment and housing• educational planning• traffic planning• Etc.

The end of an era

In 1971 the last general census was held. Why? Unwilling population!

Causes:• World War 2• Big Brother• Computerised data

Consequences:• Public protest• Media attention• Political pressure

Results

• A new law (1970)• Delaying the census until

1971.• Still there were some

people unwilling to cooperate

1980 A census test showed an average unwillingness of 26 percent. In big urban areas this rose to almost 60 percent

1981 census was first postponed, later it was cancelled

0,31

1,96

0,15

97,58

0,1

1

10

100

%

Normal count;no protest

Normal count;under protest

Administrativecount; not athomeAdministrativecount; unwilling

After 1971Register counts supplemented by random sample surveys.

Year Method

1981 Register count of Population and housing; survey Labour force and housing needs

1991 Register count of Population; survey Labour force and housing needs

2001 Virtual population census

(dis)advantages

Disadvantages: • regional splitting of data is impossible

Advantages:• Lower costs

• Faster results

Summary

• Decennial censuses between 1829 and 1971

• Privacy controversy leads to cancelling 1981 census

• Censuses are replaced by register counts and surveys

Introduction to census project

1997 - 1999:• Scanning 200 books, 42.500 pages• Data-entry aggregate census data 1899

2002 - March 2004:• Validation and correction of aggregate census data 1795-

1859 and 1930• archiving digital census microdata 1960 and 1971

March 2003 – July 2006:• Life Courses in Context (see: http://

www.lifecoursesincontext.nl)• Data-entry of aggregate census data 1869-1956• Documentation, harmonization, access and research

Introduction IIMain objective:

• Source accurate digital copies of aggregate census tables 1795 – 1971

Partners:• Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences:

• Netherlands Institute for Scientific Informationservices (NIWI-KNAW)

• Data Archiving and Networked Service (DANS)

• International Institute for Social History (IISG)

• Historical Databank of Dutch Municipalities• University of Nijmegen

What has been realized?

(restricted) Access to original micro data files for 1960 and 1971 census

New English website up and running – www.dutchcensusdata.nl– 40.000 pages of aggregate census data– Documentation is available

Volksmenigte in de Bataafsche Republiek, 1795

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Grond-vergaderingen

Population per municipality in 1795

Source: http://www.nidi.nl/

In 1795 Amsterdam is the biggest city with 217.024 “souls” Klein-Waspik is the smallest hamlet with 3 inhabitants; a total of 1807 municipalities are mentioned in the census.

Any questions?

URL’s:• www.volkstellingen.nl• www.dutchcensusdata.nl

E-mail:

volkstellingen@dans.knaw.nl

LSHN@cbs.nl