Data at the Level of Municipality, Parish, Section, and Subsection

Statistical data is an essential tool for understanding reality and making informed decisions. In the Portuguese context, statistical data is collected and provided by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

Statistical data can be analyzed at different geographical levels, ranging from the national level to the local level. At the local level, data can be analyzed at the municipality (concelho), parish (freguesia), section (secção), and subsection (subsecção) levels.

Municipality (Concelho):

The municipality is the basic administrative territorial unit in Portugal, composed of parishes. Data at the municipality level provides an overview of the reality in a specific geographic area and can be used to analyze population, economy, education, health, housing, etc.

Parish (Freguesia):

The parish is a smaller administrative territorial unit than the municipality, consisting of sections and subsections. Data at the parish level offers a more detailed view of the reality in a specific geographic area, allowing analysis of population distribution, population density, housing, commerce, industry, etc.

Section (Secção):

The statistical section is a territorial unit corresponding to a continuous area within a single parish with approximately 300 housing units. Sections are classified based on the density of residential units:

• Concentrated: All statistical subsections in the section consist of blocks.
• Dispersed: All statistical subsections in the section consist of places not divided into blocks and/or isolated.
• Mixed Concentrated: Most statistical subsections in the section consist of blocks.
• Mixed Dispersed: Most statistical subsections in the section consist of places not divided into blocks or isolated.

Subsection (Subsecção):

The statistical subsection is the smallest territorial unit in the INE’s section and subsection system. It corresponds to a block in urban areas, a place or part of a place in rural areas, or residual areas that may or may not contain statistical units (isolated).

INE’s sections and subsections are used for collecting statistical data of various types, such as population, housing, employment, education, health, etc. Census takers from the INE visit each housing unit and interview its residents.

For example, in the case of Paço de Arcos in Oeiras, the parish is divided into 10 statistical sections, totaling 53 statistical subsections.

Differences and Importance:

Each level of this hierarchy offers a unique perspective on the social and economic dynamics of a specific area. While data at the municipality level may be useful for broader regional analyses, the importance of parishes, sections, and subsections grows as a more refined and specific understanding is sought.

Conclusion:

The geographic data hierarchy of the INE plays a vital role in collecting and analyzing statistical information in Portugal. Understanding the differences between municipality, parish, section, and subsection allows us to extract valuable insights to guide informed decisions, effective planning, and sustainable development across all layers of our society. This refined understanding is crucial for constructing effective public policies and promoting well-being in all communities of our country.  

Data at the Level of Municipality, Parish, Section, and Subsection

Statistical data is an essential tool for understanding reality and making informed decisions. In the Portuguese context, statistical data is collected and provided by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

Statistical data can be analyzed at different geographical levels, ranging from the national level to the local level. At the local level, data can be analyzed at the municipality (concelho), parish (freguesia), section (secção), and subsection (subsecção) levels.

Municipality (Concelho):

The municipality is the basic administrative territorial unit in Portugal, composed of parishes. Data at the municipality level provides an overview of the reality in a specific geographic area and can be used to analyze population, economy, education, health, housing, etc.

Parish (Freguesia):

The parish is a smaller administrative territorial unit than the municipality, consisting of sections and subsections. Data at the parish level offers a more detailed view of the reality in a specific geographic area, allowing analysis of population distribution, population density, housing, commerce, industry, etc.

Section (Secção):

The statistical section is a territorial unit corresponding to a continuous area within a single parish with approximately 300 housing units. Sections are classified based on the density of residential units:

• Concentrated: All statistical subsections in the section consist of blocks.
• Dispersed: All statistical subsections in the section consist of places not divided into blocks and/or isolated.
• Mixed Concentrated: Most statistical subsections in the section consist of blocks.
• Mixed Dispersed: Most statistical subsections in the section consist of places not divided into blocks or isolated.

Subsection (Subsecção):

The statistical subsection is the smallest territorial unit in the INE’s section and subsection system. It corresponds to a block in urban areas, a place or part of a place in rural areas, or residual areas that may or may not contain statistical units (isolated).

INE’s sections and subsections are used for collecting statistical data of various types, such as population, housing, employment, education, health, etc. Census takers from the INE visit each housing unit and interview its residents.

For example, in the case of Paço de Arcos in Oeiras, the parish is divided into 10 statistical sections, totaling 53 statistical subsections.

Differences and Importance:

Each level of this hierarchy offers a unique perspective on the social and economic dynamics of a specific area. While data at the municipality level may be useful for broader regional analyses, the importance of parishes, sections, and subsections grows as a more refined and specific understanding is sought.

Conclusion:

The geographic data hierarchy of the INE plays a vital role in collecting and analyzing statistical information in Portugal. Understanding the differences between municipality, parish, section, and subsection allows us to extract valuable insights to guide informed decisions, effective planning, and sustainable development across all layers of our society. This refined understanding is crucial for constructing effective public policies and promoting well-being in all communities of our country.