Samoa - Population and Housing Census 1991

The 1986 census was the first to be processed in-house. Many lessons were learned during that processing which were applied in the processing of the 1991 census. The system was based on an integrated software package known as U-SP. The system was designed and tested well before the census, utilising the completed pre-test schedules. The processing of the 1989 Census of Agriculture also helped in providing experience. Processing was entirely interactive. Data entry, editing and amendments were completed by statisticians who worked "hands-on" at the computer terminals. As a result processing was faster and more efficient than in any previous census.
There were some problems however. Checking and coding were delayed for at least 2 months when a state of emergency was declared following cyclone Val early in December 1991. Damage to the office building and frequent electricity failures delayed work further.