Housing deficit and census microdata: methodological framework, challenges, and perspectives

Abstract This article discusses the methodological framework for calculating the housing deficit in Brazil using microdata from the Population Census, based on the methodology developed by the João Pinheiro Foundation (FJP). It presents the data processing procedures, the variables used, and the criteria for identifying the components of the deficit. The study highlights the gains in transparency and the detailed territorial analysis enabled by the use of microdata, while also addressing methodological and operational challenges, such as the adaptation of variables across different databases and the opacity of certain routines applied by FJP. Finally, the article outlines the main challenges and prospects regarding the application of the methodology to the 2022 Census data and advocates for systematic documentation and open science as key strategies to improve the measurement of the housing deficit in Brazil.