Small Area Assessment Method for Assessing Census Data Quality

Using the 2000 Census of the Philippines Microdata for the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, we examined the age-sex distribution at the barangay level, the smallest geographical and political unit in the Philippines, to determine data quality. Despite the sluggish economy in this region, and peace and order problem ARMM registered the highest intercensal growth rate in the country. Preliminary analysis showed that such growth was highly irregular and the barangay level age-sex distributions were atypical. In most areas there were more 18 year olds than those in the younger ages. Some areas had no infants, boys, girls, adult men, and elderly population. Analysis of age ratio between an older age group versus younger age group (such as 35-39 vs. 30-34) and/or sex ratio help identify problematic census data.