According to the United Nations, a population census is the whole process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing and publishing or otherwise disseminating demographic, economic and social data, pertaining to a specific moment in time, to all individuals in a country or in a well-defined part of a country (Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses, 1998).
A Census is the most important source of information regarding the size, structure and characteristics of a population. Before the start of a Census, “a Census moment” is determined. All information gathered during the Census refers to the situation at that particular point in time.
In most countries a population census is held every 10 years. However, in some countries such as Japan, Austria and Canada, a census is held every 5 years. On Aruba, the population census is conducted every 10 years. In order to optimize the comparability of the compiled data, the United Nations recommends conducting a census on every year ending with “0” (1990, 2000, 2010, 2020 etc.). The Central Bureau of Statistics in Aruba follows as close as possible the United Nations’ recommendations. Therefore, the next census in Aruba will take place in September/October 2020, exactly 10 years after the previous Census which was held in October 2010.
In many countries population censuses are combined with the housing census. Since 1971, the population count on Aruba was combined with a housing count. Therefore, the next count in Aruba will be referred to as the Sixth Population and Housing Census, Aruba.