What is a Census?
A Census is a general population and housing count. During a Census every person who lives on Aruba at a specific moment in time (the Census moment) is counted. The Census moment is October 1st, 2020.
How often does a Census take place?
The Census takes place according to the principles and recommendations of the United Nations and is held every 10 years.
What year was the first official Census held on Aruba?
In 1972 data collection started on Aruba by means of an official Census.
What is the main goal of the Census?
The main goal of the Census is to collect detailed data, that is reliable and of high quality to get an overview of the developments that have taken place within our population during the course of the last 10 years.
What questions does the Census answer?
1. Who are we?
2. How many are we?
3. Where do we live?
4. How do we live?
Why is a Census held?
A Census is held to find out the exact number of inhabitants and living quarters and at the same time get a detailed overview of the social- and demographic characteristics of our population, such as sex, household composition, health status, level of education and employment status.
Why is a Census important?
A Census is very important for our community, because the collected data helps to guide the public and private sector to plan based on actual and current situations in our community. At the same time, current figures can be compared to previous Censuses to follow the developments that have taken place in our community.
Why contribute to the Census?
By contributing to the Census, every person that lives on Aruba gets the opportunity to contribute to their own wellbeing, the wellbeing of their family and also the wellbeing of our community.
Am I obligated to cooperate with the Census?
According to the ‘Landsverordening volkstellingen’, 1991 (article 9, lid 1) everyone is obligated to participate in the Census and to provide the correct information. Cooperating with the Census with actual and current data helps stipulate policy to guide the present and future of your country, our country. Only with the cooperation of everyone will the 2020 Census be successful!
Why NOT to lie during the Census?
The CBS is asking everyone to not only cooperate with the Census, but to also provide the correct information. The Census has to provide us with a complete overview of the developments that are taking place on Aruba based on data and current situations of our community. Only with current data, can policy be stipulated in a correct way to help our country move forward.
Providing incorrect information creates situations that are not based on the reality of our population and will therefore obstruct the process to get to a structural and sustainable policy for all of us. If the information about household income is not correct, the situation concerning the welfare and poverty of our country cannot be determined.
Why a Census during the COVID-19 pandemic?
During the pandemic it is more important than ever to execute a Census to assess the impact that this pandemic has had on our community. In order to build our future, we have to know the real situation of our island, based on current and reliable data.
Can a Census be compared to a photograph?
Yes. A Census can be compared to a photograph that is taken of all the inhabitants of Aruba at a specific moment in time. Everyone, that is in the picture at the moment that the photograph is taken, will be counted.
Who will be counted during the Census?
During the Census, everyone that, on October 1st 2020 at 12:00 o’clock midnight, has been living on Aruba for 1 year or longer or has the intention of staying on Aruba for 1 year or longer, must be counted. Consider that babies born after the Census moment, are not counted, nor are those persons that passed away shortly before the Census moment.
When not to count a baby during the Census?
The 2020 Census moment is October 1st at 12:00 midnight. This means that if a baby is born on October 1st, 12:01 am or later, the baby is not counted because at the Census moment the baby was not born as yet.
When does a baby have to be counted during the Census?
The 2020 Census moment is October 1st at 12:00 midnight. This means that if a baby is born on September 30 at 11:59 pm or before, the baby will be counted, because at the Census moment the baby was already born.
When does a person that has passed away have to be counted during the Census?
The 2020 Census moment is October 1st at 12:00 midnight. This means that if a person has passed away on October 1st 12:01 am or after that, this person will be counted, because at the Census moment this person was still alive.
When not to count a person that has passed away?
The 2020 Census moment is October 1st at 12:00 midnight. This means that if a person has passed away on September 30 at 11:59 pm or before, this person will not be counted, because at the Census moment this person not alive anymore.
Who will be counted during the Census?
Everyone who is part of our community, including those that are living in institutions like e.g. homes for the elderly, as well as those who are homeless, will also be counted.
Who will NOT be counted?
- Tourists
- Persons who are living less than 1 year on Aruba and who do not have the intention of staying for 1 year or more on Aruba (e.g. persons that come to Aruba to work for only a few months or persons that work abroad and that only come to Aruba during their vacation)
- Arubans that live abroad (e.g. students)
- Soldiers who stay less than 1 year on Aruba
Does my information stay confidential?
The CBS is obligated by law to protect and keep all information that was collected confidential.
Is the CBS bound by confidentiality?
CBS personnel and everyone that helps execute the 2020 Census is bound by law to secrecy of information (Landsverordening volkstellingen, 1991, article 10).
Does the CBS share the information that I provide?
The CBS is prohibited by law to share individual-based-data, with any person, company or government department. The data obtained can also not be published in such manner that a specific person, company or institution can be identified. Only aggregated data is published.
Do I have to provide mi real name?
Even though the 2020 Census questionnaire asks for the name of the persons who are part of the household, this information is solely used to fill in the questionnaire in an easier manner. It is not necessary to fill in the complete name. A nickname or the persons’ initials can also be chosen or simply the person can be identified as: mom, dad, child, grandmother, grandfather, etc. Once this information is analyzed, the ‘names’ will be discarded and converted into a number (person 1, 2, 3, etc.).
My documents are not yet in order. Do I have to contribute to the 2020 Census?
During the Census, everyone that has been living on Aruba for 1 year or longer, or has the intention of staying on Aruba for 1 year or longer must be counted. This includes everyone that is part of our community, regardless of their legal status. In the 2020 Census questionnaire there are no questions on the legal status of a person. Therefore, persons whose documents are not yet in order, cannot be identified by the information provided in the 2020 Census questionnaire.
Will I be counted at the address where I am registered according to the Population Registry Office/Censo?
During the Census, persons will be counted where they truly live on October 1st 2020. We do not ask where the person is registered according to the Population Registry Office/Censo.
I am sleeping over at my parents’ house for a couple of days and a couple of days at my partner’s house. Where do I have to be counted?
In this case the person has to choose where he/she spends most days of the week, either at his/her parents’ house or at the house of the partner. It is important that everyone is only counted once and only as part of 1 household!
I have shared custody of my child. Where will my child be counted?
In this case the household where the child spends most days of the week must be chosen. The child must only be counted once and as part of only 1 household (either the household of the mother or that of the father).
Census 2020 during a pandemic?
The main goal of the Census is to collect detailed data of the entire population of Aruba that is current and reliable, to be able to provide a complete overview of the social- and demographic developments that have taken place in our country during the course of the last 10 years. This data is used to guide policy and planning to better plan for the present and the future of Aruba. Now that Aruba is going through difficult times, it is more important than ever to have recent and detailed data that describes the real situation of persons and households on Aruba. Therefore, CBS is asking every household to cooperate with the 2020 Census. We also encourage every household to fill in the Census questionnaire online. Households that are not able to do this, will be visited personally starting November 1st. During the Census, CBS personnel will be mindful to abide the rules stipulated by the Department of Public Health.
Is the questionnaire only in Papiamento?
No. The questionnaire of the 2020 Census is in 4 languages. The preferred language to answer the questions can be chosen from: Papiamento, Spanish, English and Dutch.
The Census questionnaire is divided in how many parts?
The Census questionnaire is divided in 3 parts: questions about the household, the characteristics of the living quarter and the characteristics of everyone in the household.
How can I fill in the 2020 Census questionnaire online?
The 2020 Census questionnaire can be filled in by visiting the website www.census2020.aw and using the parcel number of the WEB to gain access to the questionnaire.
What will happen if I do not fill in the 2020 Census questionnaire online for my household?
Households that do not fill in the 2020 Census questionnaire online will be visited by an enumerator starting from November 1st 2020. The CBS encourages every household to fill in the Census form online.
What is my parcel number?
You can find your parcel number (account number) on the water bill from the WEB.
I do not have a parcel number (e.g. because I live in an apartment)
If the household does not have a parcel number, contact the CBS helpdesk at: 524 7444 between 8:00 o’clock in the morning and 8:00 o’clock in the evening.
The CBS will provide the household with an individual code to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire.
Why complete the Census questionnaire online?
Due to the COVID-19 situation, CBS has opted to promote completing the 2020 Census questionnaire online. By doing this, every household on Aruba is given the opportunity to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire at their own pace and in the safety of their own home. Households that for one reason or another do not complete the questionnaire online, will be visited by an enumerator from CBS starting November 1st, 2020. The enumerator will interview the household and complete the 2020 Census questionnaire on a tablet.
Does the questionnaire have completed one time?
Yes, for safety of your own personal information, the 2020 Census questionnaire must be completed in one time.
Can the same parcel number be used more than once?
No, the parcel number can only be used once. If you receive an error message when entering your parcel number, contact the CBS helpdesk at: 524 7444 (via telephone or WhatsApp) or send an e-mail at: census2020@cbs.aw. CBS personnel will provide the household with an individual code to gain access to the 2020 Census questionnaire.
There is more than one household at my address. What do I have to do?
If there is more than one household at the address, one household should use the parcel number of the address and the other household has to contact the CBS at: 524 7444 to receive an individual code to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire.
How is the safety of the data collected during the 2020 Census guaranteed?
CBS would like to emphasize that necessary precautions and measures were taken to guarantee the safety of the information of every person, every household and every institution. We opted for example to use a local server to thus guarantee the safety of the data collected. Only CBS personnel in charge of the analyses of the collected data has access to the data.
Why questions about the living quarter?
It is important to get an overview of the characteristics of the living quarters on Aruba. For example, the number of rooms, the number of bathrooms and whether the living quarter has access to basic facilities.
Why questions about the number of rooms in a living quarter?
The number of rooms in a living quarter divided by the number of persons living in the living quarter is an indication of whether the space that the household lives in is sufficient or limited. This calculation is part of the so called ‘Better Life Index’.
To calculate, among other things, the ‘Better Life Index’, the Census questionnaire includes questions about the type of living quarter that households are living in, e.g. if it is a house, an apartment or other type of living quarter. There are also questions about whether the household has ownership of the living quarter or how long the households has been living in the living quarter.
What other questions are there about the living quarter?
Other questions included in the 2020 Census questionnaire about the living quarter are the total surface of the living quarter, whether there is a kitchen present or another area to cook, whether there is a water meter, electricity meter, telephone and cable and whether the connections are open.
Why questions about the household composition?
The household composition plays an important role in the economic- and social wellbeing of our country. Therefore, the 2020 Census questionnaire includes questions to determine the composition of households on Aruba.
What is a household?
A household consists of persons who live together in a living quarter, who share in the costs of living (e.g. mortgage, rent, water, electricity, etc.), and who use common areas in the living quarter (e.g. sit and eat together, watch TV together, etc.).
What are the different types of households that the CBS distinguishes?
Before determining the household composition, the composition of families in households needs to be determined. To be able to do this, a distinction must be made between the legal status and the sociological status of couples. When considering the legal status, it is taken into account if couples are married to each other or not. When considering the sociological status, it is not important if couples are married to each other or not.
Within the legal status, a distinction is made between:
1. Married couples with children
2. Married couples without children
3. Mother with children
4. Father with children
5. A person that lives alone
Within the sociological status a distinction is made between:
1. Couples with children
2. Couples without children
3. Mother with children
4. Father with children
5. A person that lives alone
In one household, there can be one or more families.
How to determine the household composition?
To be able to determine the household composition the relationship between the persons in the household must be identified. Therefore, we ask if everyone in the household is related to each other also by marriage. We also ask if the mother and the father of everyone in the household lives in the household and if the persons are living with a partner on a durable basis (married or not married). We also ask about the marital status of everyone 14 years and older.
What other questions are there about the household composition?
In the 2020 Census questionnaire we also ask about the sex, age, date of birth, country of birth and nationality of everyone in the household.
All these questions enable the CBS to determine the composition of every household on Aruba as well as the structure of our population based on age, sex, and origin.
Is the population of Aruba multicultural?
Yes. The population of Aruba is a blend of persons that come from different countries and who have different nationalities. According to the 2010 Census the population of Aruba consisted of persons originating from 133 different countries with 96 different nationalities. Of those born on Aruba, a third had at least 1 parent that was born abroad.
Why questions about migration?
During the course of the last 10 years different developments have taken place concerning migration. The situation in different countries in the world have had an impact on the migration to and from Aruba.
The 2020 Census data will provide us with a complete view of the number of persons living on Aruba and their characteristics. For example, we can find out how many of the persons that live on Aruba were born on Aruba and that stayed on Aruba their entire life. We can also find out how many have left Aruba and have returned to Aruba and how many years they stayed abroad. For those not born on Aruba we will find out how many years in total they are living on Aruba and from which country they migrated to Aruba. We will be able to get all this information and more, because of the 2020 Census.
Are there questions included about origin?
Yes. Questions about origin offer us the opportunity to get an overview of the cultural diversity of our population.
Why questions about health?
The section about health in the 2020 Census questionnaire contains questions concerning general health, physical- and mental limitations and care needs. These questions are essential to find out the number of persons with limitations on Aruba as well as the general health situation of our population.
Why questions about the use of technology in a Census?
Technology can improve the quality of life of mankind because it can be used as a means to teach and educate, to stay in touch with others and to receive information. Given the rapid developments in the world of technology, it is very important to assess the developments that have taken place on Aruba in this field.
Which ICT questions are included?
The 2020 Census questionnaire includes questions about internet access, the use of internet for school and work purposes and access to devices that are used to go online. This data keeps getting more and more important, especially when considering that COVID-19 has forced us into the direction of working online from home as well as following online classes.
Why questions about education?
During the 2020 Census, two important questions on education are asked. One directed to those attending school and the other one to assess the highest level of education of our community.
Why is education one of the main themes of the 2020 Census?
Education is one of the main themes of the 2020 Census because education takes center stage in the development of a country. A well-educated community is the greatest riches of a country.
To whom are the questions on education directed?
Questions about education are directed to everyone who is attending school or who is following an education, including the smallest child that visits a playschool, children and young people that are attending school in the morning, afternoon or at night and those that are following an education online.
Will information about the highest level of education be collected?
Yes. The 2020 Census will also collect valuable information about the highest level of education of our population, including of those who are part of our labor force.
Why is the highest level of education important?
Based on the highest level of education of our population a determination can be made in which fields of study there are sufficient well-educated persons and in which fields there is still a lack of knowledge. This information helps to stipulate policy to get to a well-educated community that can support the economic development of our country.
Why questions about labor?
Data about the labor force of Aruba is extremely important because it provides a view of the economic-, and social developments of our country. Therefore, the 2020 Census questionnaire includes questions concerning labor for every person 14 years and older. Among other things, persons are asked whether they worked for 4 hours or more in the week prior to the 2020 Census.
What do we ask those that are working?
To those that have worked, are asked about the type of work that they have done, as well as the name and address of the business, company, institution, or department where they have worked. By doing this, we can get a complete view of the labor force of Aruba as well as of the distribution of professions and industries on Aruba.
What do we ask those that do not work?
Those who do not work are asked if they are looking for work as well as what the main reason is why they are without work. By doing this, we can get a view of the magnitude of the unemployment situation on Aruba as well as of those who for one reason or another are not active in the labor market.
Why questions about income?
One of the main goals of the Census is to collect detailed data of the socio-economic situation of persons and households on Aruba. To make this possible, the 2020 Census includes questions about the income of everyone in the household, whether from his/her main job or from other source(s) of income.
This data helps to determine the status of economic wellbeing as well as the poverty status of households on Aruba. Data about the current socio-economic situation of our community is essential.
