Analysis

Description:

International comparability of Official Statistics is important for domestic uses within any country. But international comparability matters also for the international uses of statistics; in particular the development and monitoring of global policies and assessing economic and social development throughout the world. Additionally statistics are used by international agencies and bilateral technical assistance programmes to monitor the impact of technical assistance.The first part of this paper describes how statistical indicators are used by the United Nations and other agencies. The framework of statistical indicators for these purposes is described ans some issues concerning the choice and quality of these indicators are identified.In the past there has been considerable methodological research in support of Official Statistics particularly by the strongest National Statistical Offices and some academics. This has established the basic methodologies for Official Statistics and has led to considerable developments and quality improvements over time. Much has been achieved. However the focus has, to an extent, been on national uses of Official Statistics. These developments have, of course, benefited the international uses, and some specific developments have also occurred. There is however a need to foster more methodological development on the international requirements. In the second part of this paper a number of examples illustrate this need.

Description:

In small area estimation, one uses data from similar domains to estimate the mean in a particular small area. This borrowing of strength is justified by assuming a model that relates the small area means. Here, we suggest a non-informative or objective Bayesian approach to small area estimation. Using this approach, one can estimate population parameters other than means and find sensible estimates of their precision. AMS 1991 subject classifications Primary 62D05; secondary 62C10.

Description:

The Canadian Labour Force Survey (LFS) produces monthly direct estimates of the unemployment rate at national and provincial levels. The LFS also releases unemployment estimates for subprovincial areas such as census metropolitan areas (CMAs) and census agglomerations (CAs). However, for some subprovincial areas, the direct estimates are not very reliable since the sample size in some areas is quite small. In this paper, a cross-sectional and time-series model is used to borrow strength across areas and time periods to produce model-based unemployment rate estimates for CMAs and CAs. This model is a generalization of a widely used cross-sectional model in small area estimation and includes a random walk or AR(1) model for the random time component. Monthly Employment Insurance (EI) beneficiary data at the CMA or CA level are used as auxiliary covariates in the model. A hierarchical Bayes (HB) approach is employed and the Gibbs sampler is used to generate samples from the joint posterior distribution. Rao-Blackwellized estimators are obtained for the posterior means and posterior variances of the CMA/CA-level unemployment rates. The HB method smoothes the survey estimates and leads to a substantial reduction in standard errors. Base on posterior distributions, bayesian model fitting is also investigated in this paper.

Description:

In this paper, we examine the effects of model choice on different types of estimators for totals of domains (including small domains or small areas) for a sampled finite population. The paper asks how different estimator types compare for a common underlying model statement. We argue that estimator type - synthetic, generalized regression (GREG), composite, empirical best linear unbiased predicition (EBLUP), hierarchical Bayes, and so on - is one important aspect of domain estimation, and that the choice of the model, including its parameters and effects, is a second aspect, conceptually different from the first. Earlier work has not always made this distinction clear. For a given estimator type, one can derive different estimators, depending on the choice of model. In recent literature, a number of estimator types have been proposed, but there is relatively little impartial comparisons made among them. In this paper, we discuss three types: synthetic, GREG, and, to a limited extent, composite. We show that model improvement - the transition from a weaker to a stronger model - has very different effects on the different estimator types. We also show that the difference in accuracy between the different estimator types depends on the choice of model. For a well-specified model, the difference in accuracy between synthetic and GREG is negligible, but it can be substantial if the model is mis-specified. The synthetic type then tends to be highly inaccurate. We rely partly on theoretical results (for simple random sampling only) and partly on empirical results. The empirical results are based on simulations with repeated samples drawn from two finite populations, one artificially constructed, the other constructed from the real data of the Finnish Labour Force Survey.

Description:

The Korean Economically Active Population Survey (EAPS) has been conducted in order to produce unemployment statistics for large areas such as metropolitan cities and provincial levels. Large areas have been designated as planned domains in the EAPS and local self-government areas (LSGAs) as unplanned domains. In this study, we suggest small area estimation methods to adjust for the unemployment statistics of LSGAs within large areas estimated directly from current EAPS data. We suggest synthetic and composite estimators under the Korean EAPS system, and for the model-based estimator we put forward the hierarchical Bayes (HB) estimator from the general multi-level model. The HB estimator we use here was introduced by You and Rao (2000). The mean square errors of the synthetic and composite estimates are derived from the EAPS data by the Jackknife method, and are used as a measure of accuracy for the small area estimates. Gibbs sampling is used to obtain the HB estimates and their posterior variances, which we use to measure precision for small area estimates. The total unemployment figures of the 10 LSGAs within the ChoongBuk Province produced by the December 2000 EAPS data have been estimated using the small area estimation methods suggested in this study. The reliability of small area estimates is evaluated by the relative standard errors or the relative root mean square errors of these estimates. Here, under the current Korean EAPS system, we suggest that the composite estimates are more reliable than other small area estimates.

Description:

This work deals with the unconditional and conditional properties of some well-known small area estimators: expansion, post-stratified ratio, synthetic, composite, sample size dependent and the empirical best linear unbiased predictor (EBLUP). A two-stage sampling design is considered as it is commonly used in household surveys conducted by the National Statistics Institute of Italy. An evaluation is carried out through a simulation based on 1991 Italian census data. The small areas considered are the local labour market areas, which are unplanned domains that cut across the boundaries of the design strata.

Description:

To automate the data editing process the so-called error localization problem, i.e., the problem of identifying the erroneous fields in an erroneous record, has to be solved. A paradigm for identifying errors automatically has been proposed by Fellegi and Holt in 1976. Over the years their paradigm has been generalized to: the data of a record should be made to satisfy all edits by changing the values of the variables with the smallest possible sum of reliability weights. A reliability weight of a variable is a non-negative number that expresses how reliable one considers the value of this variable to be. Given this paradigm the resulting mathematical problem has to be solved. In the present paper we examine how vertex generation methods can be used to solve this mathematical problem in mixed data, i.e., a combination of categorical (discrete) and numerical (continuous) data. The main aim of this paper is not to present new results, but rather to combine the ideas of several other papers in order to give a "complete", self-contained description of the use of vertex generation methods to solve the error localization problem in mixed data. In our exposition we will focus on describing how methods for numerical data can be adapted to mixed data.

Description:

In the presence of item nonreponse, unweighted imputation methods are often used in practice but they generally lead to biased estimators under uniform response within imputation classes. Following Skinner and Rao (2002), we propose a bias-adjusted estimator of a population mean under unweighted ratio imputation and random hot-deck imputation and derive linearization variance estimators. A small simulation study is conducted to study the performance of the methods in terms of bias and mean square error. Relative bias and relative stability of the variance estimators are also studied.

Description:

Optimal and approximately optimal fixed-cost Bayesian sampling designs are considered for simultaneous estimation in independent homogeneous Poisson processes. General allocation formulae are developed for a basic Poisson-Gamma model and these are compared with more traditional allocation methods. Techniques for finding representative gamma priors under more general hierarchical models are also discussed. The techniques show that, in many practical situations, these gamma priors provide reasonable approximations to the hierarchical prior and Bayes risk. The methods developed are general enough to apply to a wide variety of models and are not limited to Poisson processes.

Description:

In the present investigation, we introduce new calibration equations to estimate the population mean in stratified simple random sampling, making use of second order moments of the auxiliary character. We also suggest ways for estimating the variance of the proposed estimator. The resultant new estimator can be more efficient in stratified sampling than the combined regression estimator. Thus, we have extended the idea to double sampling in a stratified population and have studied the simulation results.

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: This infographic provides estimates on health care workers' stress, alcohol consumption and positive health behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic. Estimates are provided across three primary health care worker groups: nurses, physicians, and Personal Support Workers/Care Aides (PSWs/CAs).

Description: Many aspects of Canadian society affect and are affected by climate change. This presentation synthesizes recent research examining the impact of climate change on Canadian society (economy, labour, and health) as well as adaptation and mitigation measures to combat climate change.

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Fuelled by rapid technological change and the emerging global marketplace, the need for a stream of new and improved products - in other words innovation - is growing. Some 31% of the engineering firms surveyed replaced an existing products, added a new product to their existing line or diversified into new product lines.

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Innovation is the basis for progress and the key to success for many organizations. This article examines the effect of perceived barriers to innovation by sector. For instance, the financial services sector is cautious about new technological developments due to feasibility risks and markets outlets.

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The number of personnel in scientific and technological (S&T) activities in the federal government has declined by 15% since 1990-1991.

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Over two-thirds of Canada's gross domestic product (GDP) and three-quarters of employment result from service activity, and close to 60% of the measured reserach and development is performed in the service sector.

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This article explores the use of simple everyday automated products and services that have become widely available over the last 15 years, such as automated banking machines (ABMs), video cassette recorders (VCRs), and answering machines.

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The federal government is an essential player S&T activities in Canada in which it invests over five billion dollars each year. In addition to this direct investment, an additional $1.3 billion of assistance is provided through the federal R&D tax incentive program. This article examines regional differences in science and technology tax regimes in Canada.

Description:

To understand the relationship between S&T skills and the labour market Statistics Canada has produced a study that provides insight into where S&T skills are deployed. As a group, the number of persons with S&T degrees, pegged at 5 million in 1996, has been growing five times faster than the number of non S&T degree holders. The highest concentrations of S&T graduates are in health (52.0% have S&T degrees), business services (38.1%), and construction (34.3%).

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Lower mortality rates overall, and for cardiovascular disease in particular, as well as lower odds of heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis and activity limitation, suggest that recent cohorts are healthier than previous cohorts.

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Oral contraceptive users - many of whom smoke heavily - tend to be young, unmarried, sexually active women who are relatively well-educated and who have prescription drug insurance coverage.

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Entry into home care was related to an increase in perceived emotional support and a transition to living alone, even when several demographic and health factors were taken into account.

Description: Labour Statistics at a Glance features short analytical articles on specific topics of interest related to Canada's labour market. The studies examine recent or historical trends using data produced by the Centre for Labour Market Information, i.e., the Labour Force Survey, the Survey of Employment Payrolls and Hours, the Job Vacancy and Wage Survey, the Employment Insurance Coverage Survey and the Employment Insurance Statistics Program.

Description:

As Statistics Canada celebrates a significant milestone in 2018, it is time to take a look back at our history to see where we have been and what we have done over the past century. At the same time, it is a chance to reflect on where the agency is headed in the future. This series of articles shows how our work has evolved since 1918: where we started, how we have evolved and what we do now.

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This series of analytical reports provides an overview of the Canadian labour market experiences of immigrants to Canada, based on data from the Labour Force Survey. These reports examine the labour force characteristics of immigrants, by reporting on employment and unemployment at the Canada level, for the provinces and large metropolitan areas. They also provide more detailed analysis by region of birth, as well as in-depth analysis of other specific aspects of the immigrant labour market.

Description:

The Health Research Working Paper Series publishes: analytical work-in-progress; background documentation for specific research projects (e.g methodological papers); lengthy reports intended for specific clients, and; compendiums of data tables. Publication in this series does not preclude publication of specific aspects of the work in a peer-reviewed journal.

Description:

Historical works allow readers to peer into the past, not only to satisfy our curiosity about “the way things were,” but also to see how far we’ve come, and to learn from the past. For Statistics Canada, such works are also opportunities to commemorate the agency’s contributions to Canada and its people, and serve as a reminder that an institution such as this continues to evolve each and every day.

On the occasion of Statistics Canada’s 100th anniversary in 2018, Standing on the shoulders of giants: History of Statistics Canada: 1970 to 2008, builds on the work of two significant publications on the history of the agency, picking up the story in 1970 and carrying it through the next 36 years, until 2008. To that end, when enough time has passed to allow for sufficient objectivity, it will again be time to document the agency’s next chapter as it continues to tell Canada’s story in numbers.

Description: This publication presents an overview of recent economic developments in the provinces and territories. The overview covers several broad areas: 1) gross domestic product (GDP) by income and by expenditure, 2) GDP by industry, 3) labour productivity and other related variables.

The publication examines trends in the major aggregates that comprise GDP, both income- and expenditure-based, as well as prices and the financing of economic activity by institutional sector. GDP is also examined by industry. The productivity estimates are meant to assist in the analysis of the short-run relationship among the fluctuations of output, employment, compensation and hours worked. Some issues also contain more technical articles, explaining national accounts methodology or analysing a particular aspect of the economy.

This publication carries the detailed analyses, charts and statistical tables that, prior to its first issue, were released in The Daily (11-001-XIE) under the headings Provincial Economic Accounts and Provincial Gross Domestic Product by industry.

Description:

Understanding the role of women in Canadian society and how it has changed over time is dependent on having information that can begin to shed light on the diverse circumstances and experiences of women. Women in Canada provides an unparalleled compilation of data related to women's family status, education, employment, economic well-being, unpaid work, health, and more.

Women in Canada allows readers to better understand the experience of women compared to that of men. Recognizing that women are not a homogenous group and that experiences differ not only across gender but also within gender groups, Women in Canada includes chapters on immigrant women, women in a visible minority, Aboriginal women, senior women, and women with participation and activity limitations.

Description:

The publication provides data users, health professionals and individual Canadians with geometric means and selected percentiles of blood and urine concentrations of selected environmental chemicals for the Canadian population by sex and age group. The results presented in this publication were collected during cycle 4 of the Canadian Health Measures Survey from January 2014 to December 2015.

Description: In 2018, Statistics Canada will celebrate its 100th anniversary. As we count down to this important milestone, we would like to use our data to highlight some of the sweeping changes that have had a lasting impact on Canadian society and economy.

Description:

The Record Linkage Project Process Model (RLPPM) was developed by Statistics Canada to identify the processes and activities involved in record linkage. The RLPPM applies to linkage projects conducted at the individual and enterprise level using diverse data sources to create new data sources to meet analytical and operational needs.