Traditionally, population and housing censuses have been based on the essential features of individual enumeration, simultaneity, universality, small area data, and periodicity (Figure 1). Over the last few decades, however, new methodologies have expanded this definition. These new methods use administrative data to either supplant or support field enumeration for household-based population and housing censuses (UNECE, 2015). As National Statistical Offices (NSOs) consider redefining population and housing censuses in view of these methodologies, it remains imperative that they adhere to the essential features as closely as possible.

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