IPUMS International is the world’s largest collection of population microdata available for research and teaching. The availability of microdata from more than 100 countries is made possible through partnerships with statistical offices and survey organizations around the world. IPUMS optimizes data for research and facilitates access to the microdata by standardizing disparate data formats; harmonizing variables across time and across countries; ensuring long term data preservation; curating and optimizing documentation; managing and vetting credentials of data requesters; and disseminating data through a user-friendly web system to the research community. The goal is to facilitate comparative and cross-temporal international research. The database includes more than 1 billion person records across 400+ censuses from 103 countries. The IPUMS samples are nationally representative and typically offer geographic detail to the second administrative level within countries, such as counties, districts, or municipalities.
The value and utility of census data extends far beyond the release of official census results. This presentation discusses ways in which IPUMS International (and broader IPUMS collections) lowers barriers to microdata access for researchers. At the same time, IPUMS honors data providers and takes measures to ensure safety and responsible use of the data. We also discuss challenges of creating cross-national comparison tools, keeping data processing and web technologies current, and maintaining partnerships with data providers. Finally, we illustrate the importance of microdata dissemination by highlighting recent examples of data use in research with high impact policy implications.
