Abstract

According to the United Nations a population register as an individualized data system, that is, a mechanism of continuous recording, or of coordinated linkage, of selected information pertaining to each member of the resident population of a country in such a way to provide the possibility of determining up-to-date information concerning the size and characteristics of that population at a given point in time. Population registers are accounts of residents within a country which are typically maintained via the legal requirement that both nationals and foreigners residing in the country must register with the local authorities. Aggregation of these local accounts results in a record of population and population movement at the national level .There are two distinct formats in which population registers exist: (i) as administrative data systems (administrative population registers) and (ii) statistical population registers. The latter are usually built based on existing administrative population registers. The United Nations lists the existence of a central population register as one among eight other preconditions for conducting a register-based census.
Over the last 5 years, an increasing number of countries (mainly in Asia and European regions) have established population registers for administrative and statistical purposes. In Africa, according to existing literature, no country is known to have achieved a fully functional administrative and/or statistical population register, including allowing for derivation of up-to-date information concerning the size and characteristics of the population. However, several countries such as South Africa , Rwanda , Kenya and Namibia , have progressed in the development of administrative data systems of this nature which are locally referred to as national population registers. While there is no evidence of any African country that has undertaken a register-based census some countries such as South Africa, have undertaken evaluations to establish the possible use of existing administrative registers for statistical purposes.
Objective: This study will seek to: (i) establish the operational definition of population registers in use across selected African countries where such registers are deemed to exist (ii) document prerequisites and key requirements for establishment of a well-functioning administrative population register (iii) conduct a basic analysis of the status of implementation of population registers among selected countries vis a vis the key requirements determined under objective (ii).
Methodology: The study will use a combination of desk review and key informant interview methods to draw the required information. Reports of assessments conducted by the United Nations Legal Identity Agenda task force will be used among other background document for the desk review. Interviews with government focal points will be undertaken to fill any information gaps.