Post Enumeration Surveys: Operational Guidelines

The present manual was developed to provide operational guidelines for the preparation and implementation of a post enumeration survey (PES) and its role in improving the quality of household and population data. It defines the PES and enumerates its objectives. In addition, the manual covers elements of: sample design; questionnaire design; planning and implementation of a PES; matching; field reconciliation; the Dual System of Estimation (DSE); tabulations; the evaluation of content error.

The conclusion highlights the usefulness of a PES and the care that must be taken in its implementation. It additionally presents challenges associated to a successful implementation of the PES and how they can be mitigated. Finally, the Annex presents selected examples from countries that conducted PES during the 2000 and 2010 round of censuses.