Conclusions

Abstract

The life-changing events triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic that spanned the five continents were experienced differently in each country —including those of Latin America and the Caribbean. This depended not only on the specific geopolitical conditions in each country, but also on the demographic, social and economic structures prevailing in them, according to their different states of development. The objective of this study was to assess the status of the 2020 round of population censuses in the region, gauge the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis on the census processes, learn about the different strategies adopted to conduct population censuses in the midst of the health emergency, and analyse their potential for obtaining information that is fundamental for mitigation and recovery policies. The Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE)-Population Division of ECLAC, the United Nations Statistics Division, the World Bank and other international organizations have launched various initiatives to ascertain and evaluate the impact of the health crisis on statistical processes in general, and on population and housing censuses in particular. These confirmed that the closure of the respective offices had serious repercussions on the census calendar, budgets, protocols and training and collection methods, to mention the most significant. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the effects were more pronounced, because the offices were closed immediately at the onset of the pandemic and reopened more slowly towards the end of 2020. As a result, periods of lockdown and teleworking lasted longer than elsewhere. Nonetheless, it is worth noting the role that statistical agencies had to play in measuring and monitoring the progress of the pandemic, thereby providing crucial support to health authorities and contributing social welfare, in a region where administrative record systems were less developed.