Introducing an ethnic marker into household surveys and census
Promising practice :
In this page:
- Why was the practice needed?
- How was it implemented?
- Outputs
- Key success factors
- Technical information
- Contacts
Why was the practice needed?
In response to the demands of researchers and the public administration, in 2013, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO) decided to introduce an ethnic marker, based on self-identification, into the Labour Force Survey using the 201 census methodology. It aimed at overcoming two challenges related to data on ethnicity:
- social surveys carried out by the Statistical Office were not designed to focus on specific subgroups of the population, such as Roma people. Therefore, ethnicity was not included as a social core variable;
- Due to the limited sample size, its surveys did not allow for disaggregation of the data by ethnicity and other criteria, such as sex or education.
The ethnic marker was introduced to counteract these constraints.
How was it implemented?
The methodology is based on the ethnicity data collection of the census which was the result of extensive consultations of the CSO with national minority self-governments, the Office of the Commissioner of Fundamental Rights, governmental bodies and academic institutes.
These consultations focused on methodological issues such as the design of the questionnaire, the wording of questions, how to allow capture data on multiple national/ethnic identity and data protection.
The introduction of the ethnic marker further allows the CSO to develop and run thematic survey modules on personal experiences of discrimination. An example of such modules is the one regarding discrimination in the Labour Force Survey, which includes discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity and includes differences in outcomes between Roma/Non Roma people.
The Hungarian Central Statistical Office collects data in accordance with the national legislation regarding the collection and management of data on ethnicity. Respondents answering survey or census questions regarding their ethnicity can do so anonymously, voluntarily and based on self-identification.
Outputs
- The addition of the ethnic marker introduces the dimension of ethnicity into the data analysis carried out by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office and other data analysts.
- Several reports have made use of the ethnic markers since its introduction. Examples include, the 2016 report of the Labour Force Survey (data also available in English), and other surveys such as the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), the Adult Education Survey (AES), and the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS).
Key success factors
- The census consultations, which led to the development of questions that are accepted and supported by national minorities, governmental bodies, the Commissioner of Fundamental Rights, and academic researchers.
Technical information
- Data sources covered: Census; Household or individual surveys; .
- Areas of life covered: Employment; Education; Health; Housing and living conditions.
- Target audience: Public administrations, particularly the Ministry of Human Capacities
- Duration: 2013 – present (marker has been in use since 2013)
- Geographical scope: National
- Leading institution: The Hungarian Central Statistical Office
- Other organisations involved/consulted: National minority self-governments, the Office of the Commissioner of Fundamental Rights, governmental bodies and academic institutes
- Financial & human resources: No information provided.
Contacts
Hungarian Central Statistical Office / Központi Statisztikai Hivatal
Email: eletminoseg (at) ksh (dot) hu