Age
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Age is one of the most commonly used census variables. It is regularly used to help analyse other census variables (eg work and labour force status, tenure holder) and to investigate population ageing. Age data from the census also provides the base population (ie denominator) for fertility, mortality, morbidity, suicide, accident, and crime statistics.
Our current recommendations relating to age
Collecting age is required by law under the Statistics Act 1975, so must be included in the census.
No changes are recommended for age.
See our preliminary view of 2018 Census content (page 14)for a more detailed discussion on age information.
See 2013 Census information by variable for information on the age variable.
judith davey Tue 5 May 2015 11:35PM
I am the voluntary policy advisor to Age Concern NZ and a senior associate of the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies at Victoria University of Wellington.
My main concern about age data is that there should be adequate age breakdown in the older groups. 65 plus is not adequate. So we need census information because sample surveys do not allow such breakdowns - unless we can get much larger samples.
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Camille (facilitator) Thu 7 May 2015 9:21PM
Hi Judith, welcome to the conversation!
That's quite interesting regarding the age breakdown. Can you elaborate on what you need?
judith davey Mon 11 May 2015 10:25PM
A lot of statistical tables cross tabulated on age have the highest category as 65 plus. This is not adequate. 65 plus covers potentially more that 40 years and often more than one generation. All breakdowns should have, at least 65-74, 75-84 and 85 plus.
Another problem is trying to get age breakdowns for sample surveys such as household economic, time use, social survey and so on. The sample size is usually too small to give meaningful breakdowns in the three age categories I have mentioned. With the ageing population we need to be able to differentiate within the older age groups. For example an increasing number in the 65-74 age group are still in paid work. And 80/85 plus is the fastest growing age group.
Leonie Walker Fri 15 May 2015 2:59AM
NZNO would have a real interest in questions as found on the US National Longitudinal Survey that would allow us to see responsibility (financial or care related) for children and/or elderly parents: including co-residence) Membership of this sandwich generation, of nurses especially, has real implications for workforce planning and social cohesion.
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Camille (facilitator) Sun 17 May 2015 9:45PM
Hi Leonie, welcome to the conversation!
Can you expand on what kind of age data you will need?
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Kay Thu 21 May 2015 8:25AM
Disaggregation of data for the people aged between 15 and 20 would be helpful, especially if it was linked to categories of "in work", "in study', "registered unemployed", "unemployed but not registered". Each of 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 is covered by different legal provisions as to eligibility for benefit assistance, to full wage or age rebated, ability to marry, to vote, to drink legally etc. This information would help with assessing success or otherwise of work and training incentives and programmes over time, and with planning future assistance for this age group.
Camille (facilitator) · Wed 29 Apr 2015 8:13PM
Kia ora, hello, and welcome to the 2018 Census discussion on Age. I am Camille from Statistics New Zealand and I'm here to facilitate open, respectful and inclusive discussion. Click here to introduce yourself on the welcome and introductions page.
We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions.