There are two main sources of data, which are used to produce Official Statistics. These are referred to as Statistical sources and non-statistical sources. Statistical sources generally refer to data collection in the form of either statistical studies or censuses. In general, the early history of Official Statistics focuses on the latter form of data collection. Rulers of the various empires present throughout the world’s extensive history have always been interested in at least the number of individuals under their control since at the time the greater this number is the more wealth and military power one possesses.
Babylonian Census [3800BC]
The first known Census took place roughly 5820 years ago in Babylon [Modern-day Iraq]. Data such as the number of males, females, and children in the population, as well as the statistic of how much butter, honey, and fruit was present in the nation, were all recorded on clay tablets, of which none have survived the passage of time. The main purpose of this census was to get an accurate, for the time, estimate of how much food was needed to feed the entire Babylonian population. However, as mentioned above, it also had two secondary purposes of estimating the military power of Babylon [Measured in the number of males eligible for military service] and the general standard of living in the nation so as to be able to increase or decrease the number of taxes accordingly. It is estimated that similar to modern census’s, this archaic census took place every six years.
References to Censuses in the Bible [4000BC – 96AD]
The Bible, split into the Old and New Testaments, covers a long period of time [4000BC – 96 AD] and gives an unparalleled insight into ancient society. According to the Bible, numerous Censuses took place, showing the importance of Official Statistics in Human History.
The Fourth Book in the Old Testament is called the Book of Numbers [1445BC-1407BC], a reference to the two Censuses which take place in this recounting. The Book of Numbers deals with the 40-year journey the Israelites underwent to reach the promised land.
The first census was carried out almost exclusively for military purposes, and its main aim was to find out how many Males above the age of 20 were present in the population at the beginning of their journey. The second census had the same purpose but was carried out at the end of the Israelites' 40-year journey. Overall, the military-eligible population decreased by 1,820, from 603,550 to 601,730.
References to Censuses are also made in the New Testament, the most prominent of which being the Roman census which took place at the time of Jesus’s birth. The Bible mentions that a complete enumeration was ordered by Augustus [Roman Emperor] and therefore, Joseph together with a pregnant Mary, had to travel to Bethlehem to register themselves [At the end Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ in Bethlehem]
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The Doomsday Book [1086AD]
The Doomsday Book is a publication of a major census that took place in England between 1085 BC and 1086 BC. It was ordered by William the Conqueror a while after the “Norman Conquest of England”. The main purpose of the Census was to assess the population's wealth at the time, and therefore be able to increase taxes accordingly. However, much more information was obtained and included in the Doomsday Book, such as the number of livestock within a region.
To facilitate data collection, England was divided into seven sections. A team of three to four commissioners collected data in each section. The commissioners then transported the data to be entered into the Doomsday Book.
Inca Empire [15Th Century]
The Inca Empire is truly an example of just how much importance was given to Official Statistics and Censuses in particular, even in the most rudimentary of Empires. Individuals within the Inca Empire were unaware that wheels facilitated movement [3500BC] and that iron and steel existed [220AD]. To top it all off, they had no writing system [3500BC]. However, Censuses still took place within this Empire. All information was recorded on long ropes called “Quipus”, with each entry being a particular knot in this “Quipus”. The data collected was mainly about the number of individuals within the Incan Empire and the amount of taxes collected.
