BHUTAN’S EXPERIENCE

USE OF TECHNOLOGICAL TOOLS IN THE

DISSEMINATION OF CENSUS DATA

TASHI DORJEENATIONAL STATISTICS BUREAU

Background

Introduction The census in Bhutan dates back to 17th Century. There have been marked improvement in censuses

and surveys in Bhutan (as regards to coverage of topics and improvement in the counts of population)

The first international standard Population and Housing Census of Bhutan was conducted in 2005.

Broadening of scope of censuses was geared towards filling in the data gaps so as to address crucial socio-economic indicators.

Number of Censuses and surveys in Bhutan

Background contd.

Dissemination: The past census records were maintained with the local

governors for the purpose of labor contribution and taxation. Department of Census and Immigration; and Department of

Civil Registration and Vital Statistics were set up to maintain the national level figures for wider dissemination.

Despite this achievements, census data is not being fully utilized by potential users for policy and planning purposes.

The under utilization of census data could partly be attributed to: Inadequate attention being given to census outputs at the

planning stage Lack of elaborate analysis plans Dissemination Difficulties in accessing the census outputs

Dissemination

Concepts and Definitions There are many and varied perspectives of

dissemination. In general, it is associated with the spreading ,

scattering, circulation, storage and etc Through such as-speech, broadcast, print. Census is incomplete if information collected is not

made available to potential users to suit their needs. The information may include both published and

unpublished tables and reports for distribution or stored in a database supplied on request or disseminated online.

Dissemination contd.

Technological tools used: It’s a set of tools both hardware and software that

help us in disseminating the information collected. The use of the technology has been evolving over

previous rounds of censuses The advent of computers and software has

transformed data processing, analysis, presentation, storage and communication.

During the 2000 round of census, there was an increased use of high-power micro computers and user friendly data analysis packages.

This made it possible to exploit and use data in many ways that were not conventionally done in the past.

Dissemination contd.

The census results in Bhutan were primarily disseminated through hard-copy publications, and CD-ROMs.

Although the use of web-based software was reported to have opened up the possibility of new applications in analyzing and displaying census data, there is minima use of interactive databases.

Bhutan is also using the technological tools such as data warehousing, GIS for spatial analysis and Map portal.

DevInfo ,NADA and Micro data dissemination system has facilitated the data exchange, data repository, analysis and better understanding of census results.

Dissemination Challenges

It is apparent that many potential users of census data, particularly decision and policy makers cannot transform, interpret and understand a statistical table.

Jeopardizing the evidence-based decision making

Conclusion

It has been realized that interactive nature of approaches and technological tools foster better understanding of census data.

There has been increased use of technological tools facilitating greater dissemination outreach ti regional and communities.

Thank you