There is not much time left until the beginning of the big Population and Housing e Census. What makes this census special is that Statistics Estonia is organising it mainly with data obtained from registers. What else should you know about the upcoming census?

In the Population and Housing Census, which starts at the end of the year, among else, people will be able to give an assessment of their health. Health questions in the same wording were also included in the census ten years ago, which is why the results will provide an overview of Estonian people’s health and how it has changed in a decade.

The places where people live have been recorded in one way or another for centuries. Previously, the place of registration could have been a church, municipality government, city address board, housing board or the Population Register. In recent decades, developed countries have found that register data are usually more accurate than survey data, and so population censuses have also begun to use them. Back in 2011, eight European Union countries conducted the census on a register basis: in addition to the Nordic countries, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Slovenia.

Researchers and officials have a special interest to find out through the census how many people living in Estonia have two nationalities and speak two mother tongues. Although information on nationality and mother tongue is also available in the population register, it is the first time that it is possible to choose two options in the census questionnaire.

Statistics Estonia has approved the questionnaire for the sample survey of the Population and Housing Census beginning at the end of this year. The final additions were questions about nationality, mother tongue and immigration.

The earliest population census in Europe that we know about took place in Athens in the 16th century BC. By order of the king, each resident brought a stone to the centre of the city. The stones were counted and thus the number of inhabitants was determined. In this video, Population and Housing Census project manager Liina Osila explains why we need a population census today.

The greater part of the preparations for the Population and Housing Census beginning at the end of the year have already been made, but the most important part remains. As the Population and Housing Census project manager, Liina Osila has been overseeing the preparations since the end of last year. She gives an overview of the progress and shares practical information that people are most keen to know.

Today, on 25 February, the Statistical Council held a meeting where they reviewed last year’s results and commended the production of official statistics, but the Council also acknowledged that the statistical system continues to be underfunded. The Council was briefed on the methodology approved by Statistics Estonia for the Population and Housing Census: namely, a register-based census, which is in accordance with EU regulations, combined with a sample survey to collect data on characteristics not covered by registers.

At the end of last year and beginning of this year, Statistics Estonia carried out the main rehearsal of the Population and Housing Census. 843 persons living at 422 addresses responded to the test survey online. Interviewers collected responses from 785 persons living at 410 addresses. The test survey response rate was 87.5% and the received feedback was generally positive.

In the population census online test survey, which started at the end of last year, Statistics Estonia received answers about 828 persons living at 410 addresses. Interviewers started working on 20 January and they will contact by phone the people who live at the addresses in the survey sample but who did not respond to the questionnaire online.

On 21 December, Liina Osila started as the project manager for the Population and Housing Census at Statistics Estonia. She will be overseeing the organisation of the 2021 census.

On 30 December, Statistics Estonia starts a month-long test survey of the Population and Housing Census to check readiness for the big census. Around 2,000 persons are included in the main rehearsal of the population census.