Census in Hong Kong

Population census in Hong Kong (), a collection of demographic data in Hong Kong, is conducted by Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong Government. The census was held every ten year and by-census is held between two census. The last census was in March 2001 and by-census will be from 15th July to 1st August 2006.

Objective

The census is based on the administrative districts in Hong Kong to find out the characteristics and trends in population. The census is conducted in large scale and wide ranges of data would be collected. Statistics collected would be a reference for Hong Kong Government to make policy, or for private organisation to research.

History

As early as 1841, when Hong Kong Island is ceded to British, the government has conducted a census in all villages on the island. The modern census began in 1961, and by-census in 1966 and continues every 10 years.

Method

The census in 1961 and 1971 collected the details from every residents. From 1981, although counting of residents still is still be conducted and collection of basic information such as age and gender by questionnaire survey, the very details of characteristics were taken from interviewing a large sample of households and inferred by statistical method. In 2001 census, the ratio of questionnaire to visit is 7 to 1.

By-census is similar to census but only use smaller percentage of households for visiting to deduced the characteristics. 10% of household would be sampled in 2006 by-census.

When census was conducted by questionnaire, a questionnair was sent to each household and sent back to the department by the household. For interview, a enumerator would visit each sample household and fill detailed questionnaires for each household member.

March is selected to a census month to avoid extreme weather conditions like typhoons and major long holiday or summer vacation. In order to recruit sufficient enumerators from secondary schools, a census holiday is implemented during the census year. By-census is conducted in July. The main source of enumerators are from teachers and university students. In 2006 by-census, 5000 of enumerators are recruited with wages between HK$ 6528 to 11648.

Under the Census and Statistics Ordinance, specified persons are legally obliged to provide the information required by the 2001 Population Census. People who refuse to do so are liable to a fine of $500. Also, people wilfully providing untrue answers are liable to a fine of $5,000 and to imprisonment for 6 months.

The census counts each household member, even one might be an illegal immigrant. To ensure the accuracy of data and to encourage those interviewed to provide true answers, their information provided is strictly confidential and would be destoyed within one year.

Privacy

It is an offence for census officers to disclose data pertaining to individual persons or individual households to unauthorized persons. All field workers are required to follow designated procedures strictly, and well-trained on the data confidentiality issues. Completed questionnaires are processed and stored in a special area and any movement of document are recorded. The questionnaires are destroyed with in one year. No information of individual persons or households can be deduced from the processed data.

Content

Questionnaires completed by households are named short forms. Questions include: For household

set of question aims at enumerating the number of persons in the household.

For person

Relationship to head of household
Sex
Year and month of birth
Whereabouts at the census moment
Total amount of time spent in Hong Kong in the past six months
Total amount of time to be spent in Hong Kong in the coming six months
Usual accommodation in Hong Kong at present

Information filled by census officer, such as:

Type of quarters
Present status of quarters
Occupancy of quarters
Number of households in the quarters
Type of household

The long form includes the following data items in addition to all of those in the short form:

Information on household and quarters:

Household income
Number of living/dining rooms
Number of bedrooms
Number of kitchens
Number of bathrooms/toilets
Number of other rooms
Tenure of accommodation
Rent
Rates, Government rent and management fee
Outstanding mortgage or loan period
Mortgage payment or loan repayment

Information on household members:

Demographic and social characteristics:

Marital status
Nationality
Ethnicity
Usual language
Ability to speak other languages/ dialects

Educational characteristics:

School attendance
Educational attainment
- highest level attended
- highest level completed
Place of study
Mode of transport to place of study
Field of education

Geographical and internal migration characteristics:

Place of birth
Duration of residence in Hong Kong
Place of residence 5 years ago

Economic characteristics:

Economic activity status
Industry
Occupation
Place of work
Mode of transport to place of work
Earnings from main employment
Earnings from secondary employment
Other cash income

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