Sample characteristics: Colombia

Census characteristics

1964

1973

1985

1993

Title

XIII National Population and II Housing Census

XIV National Population and III Housing Census

XV National Population and IV Housing Census

XVI National Population and V de Housing Census

Census Agency

Departmento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística
(DANE)

Departmento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística
(DANE)

Departmento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística
(DANE)

Departmento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística
(DANE)

Population
Universe

Population census included people in territories,
sailors, diplomats and their families. The indigenous population
residing in remote areas was not enumerated.

sailors, diplomats and their families. The indigenous population was
enumerated for the first time.

Microdata is available for
100% of the population, but current version excludes group quarters
and indigenous population.

enumerated. Due to guerrilla activity, approximately 3,000 dwellings
(out of 6 million) could not be enumerated.

The microdata
sample consists of the 10% survey. It excludes population in group
quarters and indigenous population.

The entire population of the country, including all
households and dwellings.

Microdata is available for 100% of
the population, but current version excludes group quarters and
indigenous population.

De jure or de
facto

De facto

De facto

De jure

De jure

Enumeration unit

Dwellings

Dwellings

Dwellings

Dwellings

Census day

July 15, 1964

October 24, 1973

October 15, 1985

October 24, 1993

Field work period

Urban population and settlements with 20 or more
dwellings were "immobilized" and enumerated on census day. Dispersed
population was enumerated 20 days prior to census date. The National
Territories (intendances and commissaries) were enumerated over a
period of two months, following census day.

Population in urban areas was enumerated on census
day, during which the population was "immobilized." Enumeration in
rural areas continued for one month. The operation began four months
earlier in National Territories and ended on census day. Unusually
heavy rains caused the enumeration to be extended in some remote
areas.

Urban population was not "immobilized" and the
enumeration continued over a period of two weeks starting October
15. In rural areas enumeration continued for one month. In the
National Territories (intendances and commissaries) fieldwork
continued from October through March and, for some remote areas,
fieldwork was timed to avoid the rainy season.

The urban population, including settlements with 300
dwellings or more, was "immobilized" and counted on census day. In
rural areas, fieldwork continued for a period of six months, from
August 1993 to February 1994.

Enumeration forms

A single form was used for the entire country. It
requested information about buildings, dwellings, households and
individuals.

3 enumeration forms were used: (f1) population in
private households with household and dwelling information; (f2)
indigenous population, enumerated at the level of the dwelling, not
the individual (slightly modified for the enumeration of National
Territories); (f3) only age and sex was requested for individuals in
group quarters and transients.

5 enumeration forms applied to 5 different target
populations: (f1) short form for private dwellings (90%) of the
population, requested information on age, sex, and relationship to
householder; (f2) long form for private dwellings (10%); (f3) group
quarters, 0.17% of dwellings; (f4) indigenous private dwellings
(100%), representing 0.95% of dwellings; and (f5) indigenous
group-quarters, 0.01% of dwellings.

3 enumeration forms: (f1) long form for private
dwellings; (f2) short form for group quarters (institutional and
non-institutional, population without housing or living in camps);
and (f3) indigenous population.

Type of field
work

Direct enumeration. Beginning with the census of
1964, Colombia has relied on high school students as enumerators.

Direct enumeration

Direct enumeration for both short and long form. For
the short form, some areas were designated for self-enumeration.

Direct enumeration.

Respondent

Head of the household

Head of the household

Person living in household 15 years of age or
older.

The householder provided information for the dwelling
and household and for individuals below the age of 10. Individuals
ten years of age and older were questioned individually to provide
their personal information. For group quarters, information was
provided by the person in charge.

Coverage

98.2%

92.8%

91.2%

88.5%

Microdata sample characteristics

1964

1973

1985

1993

Microdata source

Centro Latinoamericano de Demografia (CELADE)

Universidad de los Andes.

DANE

DANE

Sample design

Systematic sample of every 50th individual after a
random start. Drawn by DANE from the original census enumeration
forms.

Systematic sample of every tenth private household,
after a random start, adjusted for households with illogical
household structures (<1%). Drawn by the Minnesota Population
Center from 100% microdata tapes of private dwellings.

Systematic sample of dwellings pre-selected before
fieldwork based on pre-census enumeration. In rural areas selection
was determined in the field by the enumerator.

Systematic sample of every tenth private dwelling.
Drawn by the Minnesota Population Center from 100% microdata tapes
of private dwellings.

Sample unit

Individual

Household

Dwelling

Dwelling

Sample fraction

2%

10%

10%

10%

Sample size (person
records)

349,652

1,988,831

2,643,125

3,213,657

Sample weights

Self-weighting.

Expansion factor = 50.

Self-weighting.

Expansion factor = 10.

Computed by census agency and should be used for most
types of analysis.

Self-weighting.

Expansion factor = 10.

Units identified

1964

1973

1985

1993

Dwellings

Not available in microdata sample

Not available in microdata sample

Yes

Yes

Vacant units

Not available in microdata sample

Available but not included in current microdata
version

Yes

Yes

Households

Not available in microdata sample

Yes

Yes

Yes

Individuals

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Group quarters

Microdata sample includes individuals in group
quarters, but are not identified

Available but not included in current microdata
version

No

Available but not included in current microdata
version

Indigenous
population

Not included in the census

Available but not included in current microdata
version

Not available

Available but not included in current microdata
version

Special
populations

People in transit included in microdata sample

People in transit, available but not included in
current microdata version.

Not defined

Not defined

Unit definitions

1964

1973

1985

1993

Dwellings

Separated space with independent access that serves
as a human lodging

Separated space with independent access that serves
as a human lodging

Separated space with independent access that serves
as a human lodging

Separated space with independent access that serves
as a human lodging

Households

Individuals living in the same dwelling and sharing
at least one meal.

If a household is identified within a
group quarters unit, it is enumerated separately as a private
household

Individuals living in the same dwelling and sharing
at least one meal.

If a household is identified within a
group quarters unit, it is enumerated separately as a private
household

Individuals living in the same dwelling. For
indigenous population definition of household requires sharing at
least one meal.

Individuals living in the same dwelling with common
food expenses

Group quarters

Group of persons who share a common roof and food
because of work, health, religion, etc.

Group of persons who share a common roof and food
because of work, health, religion, etc.

Group of persons who share a common roof and food
because of work, health, religion, etc.

Group of persons who share a common roof and food
because of work, health, religion, etc.

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