Reliability of the Preliminary Results of the Eleventh Population and Housing Census, 1990

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to establish some parameters of reference on the possible reliability of the preliminary results of the Eleventh General Population and Housing Census conducted in Mexico fron March 12 to 16, 1990. To that effect, five sections are included: in the first one, a discussion is held of global aspects regarding the importance of censuses and the need to evaluate them. The second section is concerned with analyzing what a process of census evaluation consists of and the elements comprising it. In the third section, the major features of the evaluations conducted on past Mexican censuses are put forth. The fourth section deals specifically with the 1990 census and indicates, among other things, the possible levels of reliability of the preliminary results of that census; in this part, and after comparing those findings with different estimates (made for that purpose) and projections, and in general with present knowledge of Mexican demographic dynamics, it is determined that the Eleventh Census omitted at least two million people in its count. Lastly, the fifth section contain an analysis of the commentaries and criticisms that have arisen in the Mexican press concerning the accuracy of the 1990 census.