28 May 1985

22nd plenary meeting

1990 World Population and Housing Census Programme

The Economic and Social Council,

Having examined the report of the Statistical Commission on its twenty-third session,

Recalling its resolution 1947 (LVIII) of 7 May 1975, in which it endorsed the development of the 1980 World Population and Housing Census Programme and recommended that States Members of the United Nations should take into account international recommendations relating to population and housing censuses when undertaking national censuses during the period 1975-1984, as well as its earlier resolutions endorsing previous decennial programmes,

Noting with satisfaction the unprecedented efforts made by States Members of the United Nations, in all regions, to carry out population and housing censuses as part of the 1980 World Population and Housing Census Programme and also the activities of the Secretary-General in support of national efforts in this regard,

Further recalling the importance placed on population censuses in the World Population Plan of Action adopted by the United Nations World Population Conference held in 1974 and reaffirmed by the International Conference on Population held in 1984,

Noting in particular recommendation 65 adopted by the International Conference on Population, by which all countries were requested to participate in the 1990 World Population and Housing Census Programme in order to assist, inter alia, in the evaluation of population and development trends at all levels,

Convinced that periodic population and housing censuses, since they provide comparable information for a country as a whole and for each adminstrative area therin, are one of the primary sources of data needed for effective development planning, monitoring of population trends and policies and the sound administration of national and local activities aimed at fostering the improvement of living standards,

Stressing that population and housing censuses should provide valuable statistics and indicators for assessing the situation of vatious special population groups, such as women, children, youth, the elderly, refugees and the homeless, and changes therein,

Recognizing that population and housing censuses place heavy demands on the statistical and administrative resources of countries, and that careful preparatory work is essential for maximizing the usefulness and efficiency of census activities,

Further recognizing that census methodology is constantly advancing and that an exchange of national experience and know-how will significantly contribute to the quality and timeliness of census results and the efficiency and effectivenss of census operations,

1. Recommends that States Members of the United Nations should undertake to carry out population and housing censues during the period 1985-1994, taking into account international and regional recommendations relating to population and housing censuses and giving particular attention to the timely publication of census results so that the censuses meet national data requirements;

2. Requests the States Members of the United Nations, in carrying out population and housing censuses, to continue to provide basic census results to the United Nations and other appropriate intergovernmental organizations to assist in the study of global and regional issues;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to proceed with the development of a 1990 World Population and Housing Census Programme, to be carried out during the period 1985-1994, and to make all necessary preparations with a view to assisting interested Member States to plan and carry out improved censuses in the 1990 census decade.