Comparability — Argentina [top]

The data distinguish between automatic and manual washers.

Comparability — Brazil [top]

The 1991, 2000, and 2010 censuses do not count washing machines that do not perform operations of rinsing and centrifugation (i.e., households with machines that wash only, known as tanquinho, are recorded as having no washing machine). The 1991 census limits the universe only to households with electricity.

Comparability — Dominican Republic [top]

The data are comparable across samples apart from slight differences in universe.

Comparability — Egypt [top]

The 1986 and 1996 census questions specify whether the household has an electric washing machine, and the instructions specify that the purpose of tenure of this appliance must be for use and not commerce. The 2006 census question separates non-automatic and automatic washing machines; the number of machines is preserved in the unharmonized data. In the 2006 questionnaire, the appliances are considered available if they are currently used or will be used in the future.

Comparability — El Salvador [top]

The 1992 question asks if there is a washing machine in the household, but is not explicit about access versus ownership. The 2007 question states that the washing machine must belong to the household. The question for both samples does not distinguish between automatic and manual washers, although automatic may be implied.

Comparability — Fiji [top]

The 1996 census question specifies whether the household has a washing machine. The 2007 and 2014 census question records the actual number of washing machines in the unharmonized source variables.

Comparability — Haiti [top]

The 2003 census question records the actual number of washing machines in the unharmonized source variables. The question was only asked of households in occupied private housing units.

Comparability — Honduras [top]

In 2001, the census question includes the electric washer even if it is found in poor working condition awaiting repair.

Comparability — Israel [top]

Units used but not owned by the tenants are included.

Comparability — Laos [top]

In 2015, the census question required that the washing machine had to be in working order.

Comparability — Mexico [top]

The census questions ask if there is a washing machine in the housing unit. The samples do not distinguish between automatic and manual washers, but they may imply automatic machines.

For 2000, if the washing machine is broken and there is an intention to fix it, then it should be included as having a washing machine; the 2015-2020 instructions explicitly specify that a household is considered holder of an appliance if it is in working conditions or if it is damaged but they will take them to repair. For 2000, 2010, 2015, and 2020, a machine belonging to an employer should not be counted.

Comparability — Nicaragua [top]

This question explicitly asks about ownership of a washing machine. If two or more households in a dwelling share the washing machine, the washing machine should only be counted for the household that actually owns it. Washing machines in poor condition were to be counted. This question does not distinguish between automatic and manual washers, but may imply automatic machines.

Comparability — Palestine [top]

The questionnaire wording differs somewhat between censuses but the data are comparable.

Comparability — Panama [top]

The census question specifies whether the household has a washing machine in the unharmonized source variables. In 1980, the question was only asked of households in private occupant-present non-condemned households. In 1990 and 2000, the question was only asked of households in occupied private housing units. In 2010, the question was only asked of non-collective households, which are either single-person, nuclear, extended or composite household types.

Comparability — Paraguay [top]

The variable is comparable across samples.

Comparability — Peru [top]

In 2007 and 2017, enumerators were explicitly instructed to include broken appliances if the household intended to repair them soon. The 2017 census question also indicates to include equipment lent to a neighbor or relative. Only 2007 specified that it was an electrical appliance, though this may have been implied in 1993.

Comparability — Philippines [top]

The 2010 census asks whether the household has a washing machine in working condition.

Comparability — South Africa [top]

In 2011 and 2016, the washing machine must be in working condition.

Comparability — Suriname [top]

In 2012, the census question refers to washing machine in working condition at the household's disposal.

Comparability — Thailand [top]

Both samples record the actual number of washing machines in the unharmonized source variables.

Comparability — Trinidad and Tobago [top]

The universe has changed over time: all households provide this information in 1990, only those that completed the interview in 2000, and private occupied households in 2011.

Comparability — United States [top]

The 1960 census counted only occupant-owned machines. Housing units with both automatic and manual machines were placed in the automatic category.

Comparability — Uruguay [top]

The 1996 data were derived from separate source variables for automatic and manual washers. The objective of these questions is not explicitly ownership and may also include those dwellings with only access to a washing machine. If the washing machine was out of service and being repaired it was counted.

The 2006 data simply asks whether the household has an electronic washing machine.

Comparability — Vietnam [top]

The 2019 sample identifies whether the household has a washing machine, regardless of ownership.