title: Population bases and statistical provision: towards a more flexible future?
abstract: In an increasingly complex and mobile society, there is a need for population estimates to be produced on a more flexible basis. Different uses of population data may require information to be output on different population bases, such as where people usually live ('usual residence') or where they are on a particular day ('population present'). This article explores many of the issues associated with defining 'the population'. Following consultation with data users, it outlines recommended population definitions that could facilitate a more flexible approach. Comparisons are made between the output bases produced from the 2001 Census and the more adaptable outputs potentially available in future if the recommended definitions were used.
authors.affiliation: National Statistics Centre for Demography, Office for National Statistics.
authors.forename: Chris W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jefferies
mesh_terms: D019352:Censuses; D003710:Demography; D006801:Humans; D006113:United Kingdom