Background Information

Data topics

The data topics for inclusion in the 2011 Population Census have been reviewed to ensure that they remain relevant and meet users' needs. User consultations have been conducted for the 2011 Population Census starting from May 2008. More than 160 organisations were invited to provide views on the usefulness of the 2006 Population By-census data topics and suggest new data topics for the 2011 Population Census.

Same as the previous censuses/by-censuses, the following factors are considered in deciding the data topics for the 2011 Population Census :

1. usefulness of data;
2. willingness and ability of the respondents to answer;
3. ability of enumerators to understand the questions and communicate with the respondents;
4. existence of other data source/data collection channel;
5. processing efforts;
6. comparability of data with previous censuses/by-censuses;
7. keeping the interviewing time within reasonable length; and
8. recommendations of the United Nations and international practices.

Having consolidated the views received and taking into account the factors mentioned above, a total of 41 data topics were drawn up for the 2011 Population Census. The list of data topics is basically the same as that of the 2006 Population By-census, but with suitable refinements to classification.

Data topics for the 2011 Population Census

Short Form Questionnaire

1. Year and month of birth
2. Sex
3. Ethnicity
4. Place of birth
5. Whereabouts at census reference moment
6. Occupancy of quarters
7. Type of quarters
8. No. of households in quarters (derived)
9. No. of occupants in quarters (derived)
10. Whether a member of the household
11. Household size (derived)

Long Form Questionnaire

All the items in the short form and the following items: