On the processing of the nationality related data of the population census

Press release:

On the processing of the nationality related data of the population census

The encoding method employed by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (hereinafter referred to as ‘Statistical Office') is contradictory and not properly elaborated, which involves the risk that, when the data of the population census of 2011 is processed, not everybody will be counted towards that nationality or linguistic community to which they wish to belong according their declaration. Ombudsman Máté Szabó proposes therefore that the working group of experts systematising the code numbers should start its work as soon as possible.

The inquiry of the Commissioner for National and Ethnic Minority Rights, closed in December 2011, found that the codes of the Statistical Office are not adapted to give a full picture of the different groups of nationalities in Hungary which have their own historical, linguistic and cultural traditions. In the register of languages, for example, the Croatian of Gradistye, which has a specific vocabulary, was not listed. In the case of the Armenian language, no account was taken of the fact that there are substantial differences between the Eastern and Western dialects which are both currently spoken. It is not clear whether the ‘Rác' language (a Hungarian Serb dialect) was encoded as Serbian or Croatian. From among the three main groups of Roma only Boyash was defined as a nationality; Romani speaking Vlach Gypsies and Hungarian speaking Romungro were left out of the register.

These deficiencies are especially conspicuous considering that in the case of other languages and nationalities the explanation of codes is pronouncedly detailed or even excessive. The Statistical Office found it important to be able to process data relating to more than 300 extinct languages, among them for example the pseudo-hieroglyphic of Byblos, the Lombardian or the Ugariti of Ras-Shamra. In the course of the population census the Avars and Huns were considered nationalities, whereas according to the current state of science these groups of people were assimilated by other people centuries ago.

The Ombudsman's inquiry drew attention to the fact that in the course of processing the census data, because of deficiencies in encoding, certain members of the nationalities cannot be counted towards the nationality to which they wish to belong according to their declaration. This has also practical consequences since as of 2013 the enforcement of the right of nationalities to self-government, and as part of this right, the extent of financial support of nationality self-governments, will be determined on the basis of the census data of 2011.

The Statistical Office accepted the Ombudsman's initiative that the census data relating to nationality and language should be processed following an expert classification of the relevant code numbers. It also agreed with the proposal that a working group of experts should establish a more precise and easy to understand register of languages and nationalities to be used in future population censuses. This way it can be ensured that when modifying the lists of codes not only statistical but also linguistic and nationality expertise be applied.

The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights requested the President of the Statistical Office to ensure that the working group of experts should start its activity as soon as possible because otherwise it cannot be guaranteed that the proposals for the grouping of nationality and linguistic codes be taken into consideration in the course of the processing of the data. Máté Szabó also asked for regular information on the work done by the working group of experts, their proposals and the extent to which the nationality data of the census are processed.