Abstract

Statistics Lithuania has been producing statistical information using administrative data sources for several decades now. Long-term experience of using and combining data from different administrative sources as well as creation of appropriate legal system provided the possibility for expanding the use of administrative data for Population and Housing Census (hereinafter referred to Census) purposes.
Moving towards higher usage of administrative data sources while diminishing the reliance on traditional statistical data collection methods are one of top priorities for Statistics Lithuania. Census is one of examples which moved from traditional approach in 2001 towards combined approach in 2011 and into completely register-based approach in 2021. This transition was challenging but also very valuable experience which resulted in higher quality of the results with significant lower budget. The Census 2021 results are comparable with earlier Lithuanian Censuses as well as those of the other countries in the 2021 European Census Round. The challenge for the future is to keep comparability, but to improve the timeliness of the Census results.
Total 19 administrative data sources were used for Census 2021, since official result on population is of central importance in Lithuania and requires a high degree of accuracy. Also the system was built in such way that more administrative data sources could be added for later censuses. Algorithms for estimation of each census variable were created depending on administrative data available.
The main aspects of transition towards register-based census will be presented showing the sources and methods of the register-based census as well as the key results of Census 2021.
Census 2021 database was the main starting point for establishment the Statistical Population Register, and for the future production of population and migration statistics.