WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP

1. Name and address of the organization responsible for the census:

Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, P.O. Box 1647, Ramallah.

2. Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

Population and Housing Census, 1997.   The present description relates to this census (held on 10 – 24 December 1997).

3. Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope: Whole territory excluding Israeli settlements.

(b) Persons covered: All persons of all ages.   

4. Reference period:

The week preceding the census (2 – 9 December 1997) for labour force data.         

5. Main topics:                                  

(a) Total population, by sex and age:  yes   

Economically active population by:

(b) Sex and age group:  yes

(c) Industry:  yes                    

(d) Occupation:  yes

(e) Status in employment:  yes

(f) Highest educational level:  yes

(g) Hours of work:  yes

(h) Other characteristics:  yes

Re (a): The age is determined both in terms of date of birth and age at last birthday.  

Re (g): Hours of work relate to normal hours per week.

Re (h): The census also collected information on:  (i) Sector:  private national; private foreign; national government; foreign government; non-profit organization (charitable societies); UNRWA; international organization (other than UNRWA); not in establishment (outside establishments) and (ii) Place of work: at home; in the same governorate; in other governorate/district; in Israel; in settlements; abroad.   

6. Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population:  It comprises all persons aged 15 years and over who, during the reference period, were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below  (Note: data was also collected and has been disseminated concerning all persons aged 10 years and over).

(b) Employment:  Considered as employed are all persons who, during the reference period, were engaged in a certain productive activity or work, irrespective of whether they were employers, self-employed, wage earners, unpaid family members or other.  The question used to determine whether a person is to be counted as employed is “What was your activity status during the reference period?”.  The possible responses were: employed for 1 – 14 hours; employed for 15 hours and over; unemployed previously worked; unemployed never worked; student (full-time); housewife; unable to work; not working and not looking for work; other.  Employed persons are normally classified according to their number of weekly work hours, i.e. 1 – 14 work hours and 15 work hours and over. 

It is reported that the following categories are included:                                        

i)         persons doing unpaid work in family firm or business;          

ii)        persons engaged in production for own consumption;            

iii)       persons, temporarily absent from a job;                                 

iv)       working students with a part-time job;                                   

v)         seasonal or occasional workers;                                            

vi)       conscripts for military/civilian service.

(c) Unemployment: Considered as unemployed are all persons who, during the reference period, were not engaged in work (although they were able to work) and were available for work and actively seeking work during that period.  Those temporarily absent from work (unpaid wages) are considered unemployed although they are expected to resume work or be ready to return to work upon demand.  The same question as that indicated under 6 (b) above is used to determine whether a person is to be counted as unemployed. Unemployed persons are normally divided into two categories: unemployed previously worked and unemployed never worked.  

7. Classifications used:

Employed persons and unemployed persons previously employed are classified by industry, by occupation and by status in employment.

(a) Industry:   Based on the question: “What was your main economic activity during the reference period?”.  For coding industry, an industrial coding manual of the national classification was used.  Links to ISIC-rev.3 have been established at the major group (3-digit) level.

(b) Occupation:  Based on the question: “What was your main occupation during the reference period?”.  For coding occupation, an occupational coding manual of the national classification was used.    Links to ISCO-88 have been established at the minor group (3-digit) level.

(c) Status in employment:  Based on the question:  “What was your employment status during the reference period?”.  For coding status in employment, the following groups were used:  employer; self-employed; wage earner; unpaid family member; other.

 (d) Level of education: Based on the question:   “What is the highest level of education that you have attained?”.  For coding level of education, the following groups were used: illiterate; can read and write; elementary; preparatory; secondary; associate (intermediate) diploma; bachelor degree (BA/BS); higher diploma; masters degree (MA/MS); doctorate (Ph.D).  Links to ISCED-97 have been established.

8. Main differences compared with the previous census:

Not applicable.

9. Publication of the census results:

The final results of the census were published on 30 November 1998. 

The title of the publication containing the final results is “Population, Housing and Establishment Census, 1997: Census Final results – Summary (Population, Housing units, Buildings and Establishments)”.

The organization responsible for the publication is the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, P.O. Box 1647, Ramallah.

The census data are also available in the form of diskettes, CD-ROM, magnetic tapes, through the website of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (http://www.pcbs.org) and in anonymized micro-files.