Open Data Census

The Open Data Census is an ongoing effort to survey the state of open data in countries around the world. It is focused specifically on the availability and openness of specific datasets (rather than, for example general open data policies).

= Census 2012 =

We're going to be running an special round of the Open Data Census during 2012 to map open data initiatives around the world. This will be launched at the Open Government Partnership in Brazil in April 2012.

To keep in touch about the project, please join the open-government mailing list.

= Idea =

Survey existence, availability and openness of (government) data in different countries around the world.

Planning document: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aon3JiuouxLUdEVHQ0c4RGlRWm9Gak54NGV0UlpfOGc#gid=0

We intend to ask representatives from every country to look for specific data sets, and answer whether that data:
 * a) exists
 * b) is publicly available free of charge
 * c) is machine readable
 * d) is openly licensed.

We are primarily seeking binary yes / no responses, although we will also leave space for people to elaborate with relevant details.

We are currently finalising the list of data sets we will enquire about. Current suggestions include:
 * Public transport timetables
 * Government budget (high level: data on spending by sector)
 * Government budget (detailed: transactional level data)
 * Election results (by constituency)
 * Company Register (high level: address, registered activities, stakeholders)
 * Company Register (detailed: annual turnover, number of employees)
 * National Map (high level: 1:250,000)
 * National Map (detailed: 1:10,000 map)
 * Legislation (all laws and statues available online)
 * Location of all major pollutants (e.g factories)
 * Air quality
 * Location of public toilets
 * Location of major transport terminals
 * National statistical office data, e.g. census data (aggregated / depersonalised)
 * Crime statistics (nature, location, time of crime)
 * School statistics (number of pupils, educational outcomes, fees)
 * Health statistics (location of hospitals / surgeries, number of patients)

For current details, please see the Google Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aon3JiuouxLUdEVHQ0c4RGlRWm9Gak54NGV0UlpfOGc#gid=0

Previous Approach

 * 1) Boot a wiki page from the template and fill it in
 * 2) Create datasets on http://thedatahub.org/ for datasets (if not already in a government catalog)
 * 3) Provide a summary and "scoreboard"

NB: For the 2012 Census, we will boot a designated form (coming soon).

= Censuses So Far =


 * /Austria - Spring 2010
 * /Bulgaria - June 2011
 * /Hungary - May 2011