Population and Housing Census 2021
Marshall Isld., 2021 - 2022
Reference ID
SPC_MHL_2021_PHC_v01_M
Producer(s)
Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office
Collections
Metadata
Created on
May 19, 2022
Last modified
May 19, 2022
Page views
1721
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Identification
Survey ID Number
SPC_MHL_2021_PHC_v01_M
Title
Population and Housing Census 2021
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Marshall Islands | MHL |
Study type
Population and Housing Census [hh/popcen]
Series Information
The 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC) of the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) was the 12th census conducted since 1920 and the fourth since RMI gained independence. The first population census in Marshall Islands was conducted in 1920, after which censuses were conducted every five years up to 1935,
when World War II disrupted this pattern. The first census after World War II was in 1958, followed by censuses in 1967, 1973, 1980, 1988, 1999 and 2011.
when World War II disrupted this pattern. The first census after World War II was in 1958, followed by censuses in 1967, 1973, 1980, 1988, 1999 and 2011.
Abstract
Population and housing census (PHC) refers to the entire process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing, and publishing data about the population and the living quarters in a country. It entails the listing and recording of the characteristics of each individual person and each living quarter as of a specified time and within a specified territory. It is the source of information on the size and distribution of the population as well as its demographic, social, economic, and cultural characteristics. These information are vital for making rational plans and programs for national and local development.
In 2021, a national PHC was conducted in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). It is the 12th census of population to be undertaken in this century since the first census was undertaken in 1920.
The 2021 PHC is designed to take an inventory of the total population and housing units in the RMI and to collect information about their characteristics. The census of population is the source of information on the size and distribution of the population as well as information about the demographic, social, economic and cultural characteristics. The census of housing, on the other hand, provides information on the supply of housing units, their structural characteristics and facilities which have bearing on the maintenance of privacy, health and the development of normal family living conditions. These information are vital for making rational plans and programs for social and economic development.
In 2021, a national PHC was conducted in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). It is the 12th census of population to be undertaken in this century since the first census was undertaken in 1920.
The 2021 PHC is designed to take an inventory of the total population and housing units in the RMI and to collect information about their characteristics. The census of population is the source of information on the size and distribution of the population as well as information about the demographic, social, economic and cultural characteristics. The census of housing, on the other hand, provides information on the supply of housing units, their structural characteristics and facilities which have bearing on the maintenance of privacy, health and the development of normal family living conditions. These information are vital for making rational plans and programs for social and economic development.
Kind of Data
Census/enumeration data [cen]
Unit of Analysis
Household and Individual.
Version
Version Description
Version 01: Cleaned, labelled and de-identified version of the Master file.
Version Date
2023-03-07
Scope
Notes
-HOUSEHOLD: Dwelling characteristics; Water access; Sanitation; Energy; Waste disposal; Assets; Vehicles; Household income; Climate change and environment; Agriculture; Fishing; Aquaculture; Handicraft; Hunting; Food insecurity experience scale.
-INDIVIDUAL: Person characteristics; Disability; Communication; Education; Languages; Literacy; Economic activities; Fertility; Mortality.
-INDIVIDUAL: Person characteristics; Disability; Communication; Education; Languages; Literacy; Economic activities; Fertility; Mortality.
Topics
| Topic |
|---|
| pacific-skills, education, training pacific-skills, education, training |
| pacific-skills, industry, training |
| pacific-skills, occupation |
| pacific-skills, gender |
| pacific-skills, disability |
Keywords
| Keyword |
|---|
| Population |
| Marshall Islands |
| Household |
| Water |
| Sanitation |
| Energy |
| Assets |
| Income |
| Climate change |
| Agriculture |
| FIES |
| Disability |
| Education |
| Communication |
| Literacy |
| Economic activities |
| Fertility |
| Mortality |
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
National coverage.
Universe
The census covered all de facto household members.
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office | Government of Republic of the Marshall Islands |
Producers
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics for Development Division | Pacific Community (SPC) | Technical assistance |
| United Nations Population Fund | United Nations | Technical assistance |
Funding Agency/Sponsor
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Government of Republic of the Marshall Islands | Funding |
| United States Department of Interior | Funding |
Data Collection
Dates of Data Collection
| Start | End | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-08-23 | 2022-07-27 | Data collection |
Data Collection Mode
Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]
Supervision
A total of 21 teams were in charge of iinterviewing households in Marshall Islandsi in 2021. The actual enumeration for the 2021 Census was undertaken by a pool of 21 supervisors and 157 interviewers/enumerators that were disseminated throughout RMI. In Majuro there were 15 Supervisors and 6 in Ebeye. 13 of the 15 supervisors from Majuro were assigned to go to the outer islands while 2 teams remained in Majuro. These supervisors directly supervised the interviewers work in the field. Each of them were assigned to supervise between 3 to 5 interviewers.
For the outer islands supervisors were assigned to a particular Island/Atoll but for larger atolls like Ailinglaplap, Jaluit, Arno, Kwajalein and Majuro several supervisors were assigned to locations and responsible for fieldwork operations (enumeration areas) in the specified part of the atoll.
For the outer islands supervisors were assigned to a particular Island/Atoll but for larger atolls like Ailinglaplap, Jaluit, Arno, Kwajalein and Majuro several supervisors were assigned to locations and responsible for fieldwork operations (enumeration areas) in the specified part of the atoll.
Data Collection Notes
There was a pilot census undertaken in RMI prior to the census in May 2021 but a complete Household Listing exercise was not fully implemented. The census took place on the 23rd of August 2021. Data was collected for roughly 12 weeks on tablets using Survey Solutions. Data was collected between August 24th 2021 to the 15th of November 2022 however an extensive callback operation was undertaken by Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office (EPSSO) in 2022 to improve the quality of responses over a period of several months.
The interviews were conducted both in English and Marshallese language to obtain precise answers. The average length of an interview was between 45 minutes and 1 hour depending on the size of the household (number of individuals in the household).
The interviews were conducted both in English and Marshallese language to obtain precise answers. The average length of an interview was between 45 minutes and 1 hour depending on the size of the household (number of individuals in the household).
Data Collectors
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office | EPPSO | Government of Republic of the Marshall Islands |
Questionnaires
Questionnaires
The questionnaires for Marshall Islands Population and Housing Census were structured questionnaires based on the Pacific Model Census Questionnaire developed by the Pacific Community (SPC). The FAO Food Insecurity Experience module was incorporated. The questionnaire was translated into Marshallese. The questionnaire for this Census is composed of 9 sections. The English questionnaire can be found in the External Resources.
1. GEOGRAPHICAL ID
2. PERSON ROSTER: All individuals
3. MODULE C: Population Characteristics, Disability & Internet
5. MODULE E: Education, Languages and Literacy
6. MODULE F: Economic activities last week
7. MODULE G: Fertility and Mortality
9. MODULE I : Housing
10. MODULE J: Agriculture and Fishing
11. MODULE K: FIES (Food Insecurity Experience Scale)
12. GPS + Photo.
1. Cover
The Cover section describes the administrative geography including Atoll/Island name, Enumerator Area (EA) number and type of household and its occupancy status and the name of the household head.
2. HOUSEHOLD ROSTER: All individuals
The Household Roster section includes the date and time of the interview and all the names of each person that was sleeping at midnight of 23rd August 2021, their age, sex, date of birth and relationship to the household head.
3. MODULE C: Population Characteristics, Disability & Internet
The Population Characteristics module questionnaire includes ethnicity, place of birth, citizenship, name of clan, marital_status, religion, usual residence, residence 1 year ago and 5 years ago, disability. The module also includes a section on Communication and Internet access.
5. MODULE E: Education, Languages and Literacy
The Education, Languages and Literacy module includes questions on school attendance and educational attainment (highest grade completed). Each Household member is asked if they can read and write in any language and whether they speak Marshallese or another language at home.
6. MODULE F: Economic activities last week
The economic activities last week questionnaire module includes work activity, looking for work, type of work, occupation, industry, main economic activity, working on farming, fishing or animal products, place of work, employer social security payments and questions on insurance include whether the business is registered in the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration (MISSA) / Municipal Government, hours worked, activities mainly for consumption by the household
7. MODULE G: Fertility and Mortality
The Fertility and Mortality module of the questionnaire asks females aged 12 and over a series of questions about fertility and ever giving birth, and information about their last child, those still alive and those that have died.
9. MODULE I : Housing
The Housing module includes information on building construction and facilities including the type of living quarters, year of construction, main material of the floor roof and walls. It also includes the main sources of household drinking water, toilet facilities, household cooking fuel, main sources of lighting, waste disposal, household goods, household income sources, climate change and environment questions and a section on those household members that no longer live in the household.
10. MODULE J: Agriculture and Fishing
Includes questions on Agricultrual and Fishing such as growing crops, fishing, raising livestock, freshwater aquaculture, marine aquaculture, collection of forestry products, production of handicrafts and hunting
11. MODULE K: FIES (Food Insecurity Experience Scale)
Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) module is experience-based measures of household or individual food security. The FIES questions refer to the experiences of the individual respondent or of the respondent's household as a whole.
12. Manual Household location + Photo
The English questionnaire is provided as an external resource as part of this documentation.
1. GEOGRAPHICAL ID
2. PERSON ROSTER: All individuals
3. MODULE C: Population Characteristics, Disability & Internet
5. MODULE E: Education, Languages and Literacy
6. MODULE F: Economic activities last week
7. MODULE G: Fertility and Mortality
9. MODULE I : Housing
10. MODULE J: Agriculture and Fishing
11. MODULE K: FIES (Food Insecurity Experience Scale)
12. GPS + Photo.
1. Cover
The Cover section describes the administrative geography including Atoll/Island name, Enumerator Area (EA) number and type of household and its occupancy status and the name of the household head.
2. HOUSEHOLD ROSTER: All individuals
The Household Roster section includes the date and time of the interview and all the names of each person that was sleeping at midnight of 23rd August 2021, their age, sex, date of birth and relationship to the household head.
3. MODULE C: Population Characteristics, Disability & Internet
The Population Characteristics module questionnaire includes ethnicity, place of birth, citizenship, name of clan, marital_status, religion, usual residence, residence 1 year ago and 5 years ago, disability. The module also includes a section on Communication and Internet access.
5. MODULE E: Education, Languages and Literacy
The Education, Languages and Literacy module includes questions on school attendance and educational attainment (highest grade completed). Each Household member is asked if they can read and write in any language and whether they speak Marshallese or another language at home.
6. MODULE F: Economic activities last week
The economic activities last week questionnaire module includes work activity, looking for work, type of work, occupation, industry, main economic activity, working on farming, fishing or animal products, place of work, employer social security payments and questions on insurance include whether the business is registered in the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration (MISSA) / Municipal Government, hours worked, activities mainly for consumption by the household
7. MODULE G: Fertility and Mortality
The Fertility and Mortality module of the questionnaire asks females aged 12 and over a series of questions about fertility and ever giving birth, and information about their last child, those still alive and those that have died.
9. MODULE I : Housing
The Housing module includes information on building construction and facilities including the type of living quarters, year of construction, main material of the floor roof and walls. It also includes the main sources of household drinking water, toilet facilities, household cooking fuel, main sources of lighting, waste disposal, household goods, household income sources, climate change and environment questions and a section on those household members that no longer live in the household.
10. MODULE J: Agriculture and Fishing
Includes questions on Agricultrual and Fishing such as growing crops, fishing, raising livestock, freshwater aquaculture, marine aquaculture, collection of forestry products, production of handicrafts and hunting
11. MODULE K: FIES (Food Insecurity Experience Scale)
Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) module is experience-based measures of household or individual food security. The FIES questions refer to the experiences of the individual respondent or of the respondent's household as a whole.
12. Manual Household location + Photo
The English questionnaire is provided as an external resource as part of this documentation.
Data Processing
Data Editing
Data was edited and cleaned using the software Stata version 15. Particular attention was made to follow techniques specified in the Pacific Islands Editing Handbook.
Other Processing
Data was collected using the World Bank's software Survey Solutions.
Data Appraisal
Data Appraisal
The provisional population estimates for the 2021 census were approximately 42,000 persons, which is a decline from the 2011 census population of some 53,000 persons and below the Pacific Community's (SPC) population projections for 2021 of 55,000 persons and other projections upwards of 60,000 persons. The provisional 2021 population estimates therefore came as a surprise and Economic Policy, Planning and Statistics Office (EPPSO) has been working on a data validation exercise using the Marshall Islands (RMI) administrative data to investigate potential error in the 2021 census and to identify how and why a population reversal of such a magnitude has occurred, which is extremely important for social and economic planning in RMI. Given that a Post Enumertion Survey and complete Household Listing were not undertaken a recomendation was to undertake a full, complete household listing exercises in Marshall Islands is recomended to be undertaken in 2022. A data validation exercise was undertaken comparing Census data results with Administrative Data from the RMI.
Access policy
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic Policy Planning and Statistics Office | Government of Marshall Islands | info@rmieppso | Link |
Confidentiality
The 2021 Population and Census data is protected under the National Statistics Act and cannot be disclosed to any individual without authorisation from the Government Statistician.
Access conditions
Licensed datasets.
Users and Depositors should note that the data and documentation in the Pacific Data Hub Microdata Library do not belong to the archive but to the individual depositors (data owners of the data) to the archive.
Note: Prior to distributing certain licensed data and documentation, the Pacific Community (SPC) has to contact the data owner in order to obtain permission and that may cause some delays with microdata release.
Users and Depositors should note that the data and documentation in the Pacific Data Hub Microdata Library do not belong to the archive but to the individual depositors (data owners of the data) to the archive.
Note: Prior to distributing certain licensed data and documentation, the Pacific Community (SPC) has to contact the data owner in order to obtain permission and that may cause some delays with microdata release.
Citation requirements
"Economic Policy Planning and Statistics Office of the Republic of Marshall Islands, Population and Housing Census 2021 (PHC 2021), version 01 of the licensed datasets (March 2023), provided by the Pacific Data Hub - Microdata Library. https://microdata.pacificdata.org/index.php/home"
Access authority
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic Policy Planning and Statistics Office | Government of Marshall Islands | info@rmieppso | Link |
Disclaimer and copyrights
Disclaimer
The user of the data acknowledges that the original collector of the data, the authorised distributor of the data, and the relevant funding agency bear no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences based upon such uses.
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI_SPC_MHL_2021_PHC_v01_M
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics for Development Division | SDD | Pacific Community | Documentation of study |
Date of Metadata Production
2023-03-07
DDI Document version
-Version 01 (March 2023): This is the first attempt at documenting the 2021 Population and Housing Census of the Republic of Marshall Islands.