Majority of Estonia’s inhabitants aware of the upcoming Census

“People’s awareness of the approaching Census has increased significantly. While at least a half of Estonia’s inhabitants had heard of the upcoming Census in August, this percentage had risen already to four fifths in October,” said Mr Priit Potisepp, Director General of Statistics Estonia.

The level of awareness was highest in the age group of 55–74-year-olds (95%) and people with higher education (94%), while it was lowest in the age group of 15–34-year-olds (69%) and people with primary and basic education (70%). The fastest increase in awareness over the three-month survey period was recorded among people with primary and basic education (from 24% in August to 70% in October).

The difference in the level of awareness between Estonians (85%) and non-Estonian-speaking inhabitants (80%) is decreasing, as it was 65% among Estonians and 39% among non-Estonian-speaking inhabitants in August.

95% of people believed that the Census was necessary or rather necessary (92% in September). 68% of the respondents knew that participation in the Census is mandatory for all permanent residents of Estonia (61% in September).

Assigned by Statistics Estonia, the research agency Faktum & Ariko questioned 500 persons between 15 and 74 years of age throughout Estonia.

In Estonia, the Census will be carried out from 31 December this year until 31 March next year. The electronic Population and Housing Census or e-census, where the permanent residents of Estonia can fill out questionnaires on the Internet, will take place during the first month (31.12.2011–31.01.2012). Those who do not participate in the e-census will be visited by enumerators in the period 16.02–31.03.2012.

In 2011 the Population Census will be conducted for the eleventh time in the territory of Estonia. Previous censuses were carried out in 1881, 1897, 1922, 1934, 1941, 1959, 1970, 1979, 1989 and 2000. In 2010 and 2011 Population and Housing Censuses will be held in the majority of countries all over the world.