as compared to

[Maybo]

China's working-age population - which it defines as people aged between 16 and 59 - has also declined by 40 million as compared to the last census in 2010.
(China: Census reveals slowest population growth in decades by Yip Wai Yee)

What's the function of the bolded "as" in the above sentence? Can I remove it?

 

[Rover_KE]

It means 'when'.

I'm happy for you to remove it.

 

[jutfrank]

It's part of the comparative phrase as compared to.

I don't think it should be removed.

 

[emsr2d2]

As it's written, it's part of "as compared to" but, like Rover, I'd be happy (happier, in fact) without it. There's nothing wrong with just "compared to" there.

 

[jutfrank]

I say the use of as compared to (with as) is highly appropriate in more formal registers that deal specifically with data comparison.