Quality Statement
The 2023 Census implemented the Data standard for gender, sex, and variations of sex characteristics.
It is recommend viewing this variations of sex characteristics information by concept alongside the information by concepts for gender, sex at birth, cisgender and transgender status, and Rainbow/LGBTIQ+ indicator for important context about how these concepts interrelate and the recommended use of data.
Variations of sex characteristics refers to people born with innate genetic, hormonal, or physical sex characteristics that do not conform to medical norms for female or male bodies. It refers to a wide spectrum of variations to hormones, chromosomes, genitals and/or reproductive organs. Other terms used to describe being born with variations of sex characteristics are intersex person, a person with an intersex variation, or Differences of Sex Development (DSD).
Poor quality
Data quality processes section below has more detail on the rating.
Priority level 3
A priority level is assigned to all census concepts: priority 1, 2, or 3 (with 1 being highest and 3 being the lowest priority).
Variations of sex characteristics is a priority 3 concept. Priority 3 concepts are given third priority in terms of quality, time, and resources across all phases of a census. Priority 3 concepts are those that are:
- data that census would not be solely run for, and information about population groups that could not be captured without being in a census
- data that is important to certain groups
- data that can be used to create sampling frames for other surveys.
Variations of sex characteristics is a new concept in the 2023 Census.
The 2023 Census: Final content report has more information on priority ratings for census concepts.
Census usually resident population count aged 15 years and over
‘Subject population’ means the people, families, households, or dwellings that the variable applies to.
Variations of sex characteristics is classified into the following categories:
Census Variations of Sex Characteristics Output V1.0.0 – level 1 of 2
| Code | Category |
|---|---|
| 11 | Persons who know they were born with a variation of sex characteristics |
| 22 | Persons who know they were not born with a variation of sex characteristics |
| 44 | Persons who do not know if they were born with a variation of sex characteristics |
| 66 | Persons who preferred not to answer |
| 99 | Not elsewhere included |
Variations of sex characteristics uses a 2-level hierarchical classification with level 1 presented in the table above.
The level 1 residual category ‘Not elsewhere included’ contains the residual categories ‘Response unidentifiable’ and ‘Not stated’.
Note that ‘Persons who do not know if they were born with a variation of sex characteristics’ and ‘Persons who preferred not to answer’ are valid responses.
Variations of sex characteristics is a new concept in the 2023 Census.
Follow the link above the table to examine the classification in more detail.
Standards and classifications has information on what classifications are, how they are reviewed, where they are stored, and how to provide feedback on them.
Variations of sex characteristics data is collected on the individual form (question 30 paper form). It is a new question in the 2023 Census.
There were differences in the way a person could respond between the modes of collection (online and paper forms).
On the online form:
- only one response could be selected from the options presented, preventing inconsistent responses.
On the paper form:
- it was possible for respondents to select contradictory responses, resulting in a residual response.
Data from the online forms may therefore be of higher overall quality than data from paper forms. However, processing checks and edits were in place to improve the quality of the paper forms.
Stats NZ Store House has samples for both the individual and dwelling paper forms.
Data-use by and outside of Stats NZ:
- provide information for people born with variations of sex characteristics, and for intersex populations, to assist in advocating for the needs of their communities
- understand wellbeing and outcomes, and inform planning and service provision for people born with variations of sex characteristics.
The table below shows the distribution of data sources for variations of sex characteristics data. All data was obtained from census forms as no alternative data sources were available.
| Data sources for variations of sex characteristics data, as a percentage of census usually resident population count aged 15 years and over, 2023 Census | ||
|---|---|---|
| Source of variations of sex characteristics data | Percent | |
| 2023 Census response | 84.4 | |
| Historical census | 0.0 | |
| Admin data | 0.0 | |
| Deterministic derivation | 0.0 | |
| Statistical imputation | 0.0 | |
| No information | 15.6 | |
| Total | 100.0 | |
| Note: Due to rounding, individual figures may not always sum to the stated total(s) or score contributions. | ||
Editing, data sources, and imputation in the 2023 Census has more information around how data sources are improved by editing.
Missing and residual responses represent data gaps where respondents either did not provide answers (missing responses) or provided answers that were not valid (residual responses).
Responses that could not be classified or did not provide the type of information asked for were classified as ‘response unidentifiable’ and ‘not stated’, as there were no alternative data sources available or imputation used for this variable to replace them.
'No information' in the data sources table is the percentage of the subject population coded to 'not stated'.
Percentage of ‘Not stated’ for the census usually resident population count aged 15 years and over:
- 2023: 15.6 percent
For output purposes, these residual category responses are grouped with ‘not stated’ and are classified as ‘not elsewhere included’.
Percentage of ‘Not elsewhere included’ for the census usually resident population count aged 15 years and over:
- 2023: 15.6 percent
Overall quality rating: Poor
Data has been evaluated to assess whether it meets quality standards and is suitable for use.
Three quality metrics contributed to the overall quality rating:
- data sources and coverage
- consistency and coherence
- accuracy of response.
The lowest rated metric determines the overall quality rating.
Data quality assurance in the 2023 Census provides more information on the quality rating scale.
Data sources and coverage: Poor quality
The quality of all the data sources that contribute to the output for the variable have been assessed. To calculate the data sources and coverage quality score for a variable, each data source was rated and multiplied by the proportion it contributes to the total output.
The rating for a valid census response is defined as 1.00. Ratings for other sources are the best estimates available of their quality relative to a census response. Each source that contributes to the output for that variable is then multiplied by the proportion it contributes to the total output. The total score then determines the metric rating according to the following range:
- 98–100 = very high
- 95–<98 = high
- 90–<95 = moderate
- 75–<90 = poor
- <75 = very poor.
Only census responses are used for variations of sex characteristics which results in a high level of ‘no information’ and a score of 0.84, leading to the quality rating of poor.
| Data sources and coverage rating calculation for variations of sex characteristics data, census usually resident population count aged 15 years and over, 2023 Census | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Source of variations of sex characteristics data | Rating | Percent | Score contribution |
| 2023 Census response | 1.00 | 84.44 | 0.84 |
| No information | 0.00 | 15.56 | 0.00 |
| Total | 0.84 | ||
| Note: Due to rounding, individual figures may not always sum to stated total(s) or score contributions. | |||
Consistency and coherence: Poor quality
As variations of sex characteristics has been collected for the first time in the 2023 Census this variable cannot be compared to historical data. Variable data is not consistent overall with expectations across one or more consistency checks. The data for this variable likely accurately reflects the population with a variation of sex characteristics overall and has value in setting an initial benchmark for this population to inform policy and future data collections.
Small differences in respondent behaviour to this question, particularly with a concept that is not understood by all respondents, has likely contributed to the quality issues with the data, specifically for some ethnic groups.
Accuracy of responses: Moderate quality
The level of overall respondent error for this question is low, and the majority of responses were of high quality. Responses were coded accurately. However, some level of respondent error was identified (see recommendations for use and further information). As people born with a variation of sex characteristics is a small proportion of the subject population, any quality issue will have a large impact on counts and the data quality for this category. The impact is likely to be in the low thousands overall, with a higher impact for those born overseas and the level 1 ‘Asian’ ethnic group.
As described above, the quality of data for the level 1 ‘Asian’ ethnic group and the overseas born population has been impacted by a level of respondent error. This has impacted the ability to accurately compare some differences in the ‘people who were born with a variation of sex characteristics’ across a number of standard breakdowns, given the small size of this population group, and given that the responses likely made in error are not evenly spread across the total population.
As a result, the output of this concept is restricted to the national geographic level, and the outputs will not be disaggregated by age, ethnicity, birthplace, languages spoken, religious affiliation, and years since arrival in New Zealand.
Comparisons to other data sources
Census is the only comprehensive source of information about variations of sex characteristics data. Comparing 2023 Census data with other data sources should be done with care.
Variations of sex characteristics is a new concept in the 2023 Census.
Contact our Information centre for further information about using this concept.
