Indonesia Study Group: Abstracts

12:30-2;00pm
August 26 2009
Seminar Room B (Arndt Room)

What can we expect from the 2010 Indonesian Population Census, and what will it tell us about future Indonesian economic and social trends?
Terry Hull (Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute (ADSRI) CASS)

Every ten years most governments across Asia mount a major effort to count the population and assess the demographic trends of the nation. Aside from the obvious interest in rates of fertility, mortality and population growth, the census tells planners where people live and what infrastructure households might need over coming years. The full count of the population also provides the framework from which samples can be drawn for more detailed surveys of labour force, health, education, transport, communication and all the other concerns of national planning. The Indonesian census of 2000 and the enumeration planned for May 2010 differ from those of other nations by asking very detailed questions about every member of every household across the country. Researchers, planners, policymakers and donor partners are likely to be surprised, perhaps pleased, and at times disappointed by the 2010 Census. This seminar will canvas some of the main trends and issues to look out for, and will introduce a few suggestions to help the consumers of census data to be more understanding when they receive the preliminary results on 17 August 2010.