Billion dollar value in Census

A just published report estimates the census will deliver about $1billion in benefits during the next 25 years, Statistics Minister Nicky Wagner says.

The report, Valuing the Census, was commissioned by Statistics New Zealand and written by economic analysis firm TDB Advisory.

“The analysis shows every dollar invested in the census generates a net benefit of $5 in the economy, which is a great return on investment.

“Data from the five yearly census of population and dwellings is vital to inform decision making at a central government, local government, community and business level,” Ms Wagner says.

The government has committed $119 million for the next census in 2018, which will have will have a target of 70 per cent of forms completed online, a reduced workforce, and make more use of administrative data.

The Valuing the Census report is available stats.govt.nz/methods/research-papers/topss/valuing-census.aspx