Imputation flag for registered marital status (IFMSTP)

This variable indicates if a person's Registered marital status (MSTP) was imputed.

Applicable to:

• all responding people aged 15 years and over
• all imputed people in private dwellings
• imputed people aged 15 years and over in non-private dwellings and migratory, off-shore, and shipping areas

Registered marital status imputation is carried out by finding a similar person in a similar responding dwelling based on the variables:

• Sex (SEXP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Age (AGEP)
• Dwelling type (DWTD) and
• Type of non-private dwelling (NPDD)

Registered marital status is only imputed for people aged 15 years and over and set to 'Not applicable' for people aged under 15 years.

For further information on imputation see, Registered Marital status (MSTP) and Imputation in the Census Glossary. 

No changes have been made for 2021.

The primary imputation method used for the 2021 Census is known as hotdecking. Other imputation processes use probability methods. In general the hotdecking method involves locating a donor record and copying the relevant responses to the record requiring imputation. The donor record will have similar characteristics and must also have the required variable(s) stated. In addition the donor record will be located geographically as close as possible to the location of the record to be imputed. The match must occur within the same Capital City or Balance of State.

Using the Imputation Flag for Registered Marital Status (IFMSTP), the non-response rate for Registered marital status was 5.5% in 2021. This is a decrease from 6.9% in 2016. For more information on imputation, see 2021 Census Methodology.

• Age (AGEP)
• Dwelling type (DWTD)
• Type of non-private dwelling (NPDD)
• Sex (SEXP)
• Registered marital status (MSTP)
• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Derivation
• Hotdecking
• Imputation

• People
• Household and families: Census
• 2021 Census methodology