To meet the increasing demand for better and timelier data, DOS embarked on several initiatives to
improve the process of data collection and dissemination by optimising the use of
existing sources of administrative data as well as making strategic use of advances
in technology.
Improvements in Data Collection
In 2000, Singapore’s first register based Census of Population was conducted. The register-based approach to Census 2000, supplemented by a large-scale survey, marked a watershed in the history of Census-taking in Singapore.
For the first time since 1871, information was no longer “canvassed” from the entire population. Instead, basic demographic information was sourced from administrative registers, while additional data required for in-depth studies were collected
from a sample of the population. Census 2000 exploited the possibilities offered by the IT revolution by adopting a tri-modal data collection strategy comprising Internet enumeration, Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) and fieldwork.
To facilitate submission of survey returns, customised survey forms for the monthly Producer Prices Surveys were disseminated automatically through the Department's email system since 2003, raising productivity significantly. This application was
subsequently extended to other surveys such as the Monthly Surveys on Retail Sales and Catering Trade, Quarterly Survey of Wholesale Trade and Quarterly Survey of Services.
In the General Household Survey 2005, DOS adopted the use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and an automated system of mobile phone SMS alerts for the first time, to facilitate data collection in the field.
Improvements in Data Dissemination
In the area of data dissemination, the SingStat website was positioned as a portal providing access to official statistics on Singapore compiled by DOS and other government agencies. The website also contains links to overseas statistical agencies and
international organisations.
With effect from June 2006, DOS has made its publications available for free access via the SingStat website. Since its launch in 1995, the website has undergone continuous enhancements and revamps in terms of its contents and ease of navigation to better
serve users' needs. The last revamped website was launched on 10 May 2018.
Data users may subscribe to the Singstat Express service, which delivers to subscribers email notifications of the latest press releases, notices of publication, occasional/information papers and Statistics Singapore Newsletter as soon as they are
released. An SMS alert service is also available for local users.
Key Statistical Developments in the 2000s
| Year |
Activity |
| 2000 |
- Singapore’s first register-based Census of Population was conducted.
|
| 2001 |
- Singapore met all of the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS) requirements at the time of subscription.
- The SingStat Express email notification service and the SingStat DataShop@GovMall were launched.
|
| 2002 |
- The SingStat Website was revamped.
|
| 2003 |
- Customised survey forms for the monthly Producer Prices Surveys were disseminated automatically through the Department's email system.
|
| 2004 |
- The SingStat Express service was enhanced and provided an option for local users to subscribe to SMS notifications.
- The reporting format for the services account in Singapore’s Balance of Payments was expanded.
- The internet-accessible time series system, SingStat Time Series (STS) Online, was launched to replace the TREND System.
|
| 2005 |
- The General Household Survey 2005 was conducted and adopted the use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) in data collection for the first time.
|
| 2006 |
- The softcopies of DOS’s latest publications were made available for free access on the SingStat website.
|
| 2007 |
- The SingStat Website was revamped.
|