Population-Housing-Census_2021_info

2021 Population-Housing Census

 

The Population-Housing Census is a large-range statistical work aimed at collecting objective information with a high degree of granularity, both at local level and at the level of Greece total. It is conducted in all Member States of the European Union every ten years, in accordance with uniform standards and methods. Due to its importance and complexity, the Census has been described over time as “the largest operation conducted by the State in times of peace”.

The 2021 Population-Housing Census is to be conducted by the Hellenic Statistical Authority between October 2021 and December 2021, with reference date of the data the 22nd of October 2021. A preparatory stage of the Population- Housing Census is the Buildings Census, whose data will be collected between July 2021 and September 2021, the reference date being the 30th of June 2021.

 

Legal Framework

The 2021 Population-Housing Census is conducted by virtue of Regulation (EU) No 763/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on population and housing censuses and Law 4772/2021 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 17, 5-2-2021).

 

Purpose of the Census

The purpose of the Population-Housing Census is to collect up-to-date and valid data on the demographic, economic and social characteristics of the population and its housing conditions, in order to meet the statistical information needs at national, European and international level. These data are essential for drawing the economic, social and environmental policies of the State and for fulfilling the Country’s obligations towards the European Union and international organisations (e.g. United Nations, OECD).

 

The purpose of the Population-Housing Census is to:

  • enumerate the Resident Population of Greece, i.e., the inhabitants who reside permanently in each Region, Regional Unit, Municipality, Municipal Unit, Community and autonomous settlement, regardless of citizenship and residence status
  • enumerate the Registered Population of Greece, i.e., the citizens registered in each Municipality and Municipal Unit, on the basis of which the parliamentary seats are allocated to the individual constituencies during the parliamentary elections (Article 54 of the Hellenic Constitution)
  • collect data on the number of dwellings, by type (regular or non-regular dwellings), and data on their main characteristics and amenities
  • collect data on the number and composition of households and nuclear families
  • collect data on the demographic, social, educational and economic characteristics of the resident population of Greece
  • record data on migration (immigration and emigration).

The above data are an important tool for the conduct of research in all scientific fields and for the formulation and implementation of academic and research programmes. They are a means of planning and regulating a variety of administrative issues. The results of the Censuses provide important information to the public and private sectors of the economy, to the citizens and society, in general. At the same time, they are further used as the basic framework for the conduct of many other statistical works carried out by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (as sampling frame for the organisation and methodological design of social, economic and environmental statistical surveys).

Furthermore, the data of the 2021 Population-Housing Census are to be further utilised for the compilation of Statistical Registers for Buildings and Population, in accordance with the new European methodological framework, which provides for the transmission of census demographic data to Eurostat on an annual basis.

 

Methodology of the Census

Given the circumstances resulting from the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the data collection was modified compared to the previous censuses (filling in paper questionnaires with a personal interview) by redefining the census procedure, taking into account the protection of the population’s health. In this context, the new approach is based on the exploitation of modern technology.

In particular, in accordance with the new approach, the population is to be enumerated electronically via a specially designed web application (electronic self-enumeration). The enumerated persons may contact an ELSTAT enumerator for further guidance, if they have any questions or need more information.

Where self-enumeration is not possible, the Census will be conducted through an interview, taking all the necessary measures to protect public health.

Data Security

The data of the 2021 Population-Housing Census will be stored in a dedicated secure database, which includes all the collected variables. Access to the information contained in the database will be subject to all the necessary and appropriate technical and organisational protection measures provided for in national and EU legislation in order to observe the statistical confidentiality of the data, in accordance with the provisions of the Law 3832/2010, and the files of the database will be inaccessible from any other database in order to protect the data provided against any unauthorised or unlawful processing.