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Ene-Margit Tiit: Population Census provides an answer on the real population number in Estonia

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Posted on 4 February 2011, 10:00
For summer 2012 it will be clear how big the real population of Estonia is and the emigration trends from the country during the last decade, spoke Professor Ene-Margit Tiit today, on 4 February in the university of the dignified of the University of Tartu while introducing the 2011 Population and Housing Census.

“In order to set future targets for the society, it is necessary to know the exact population number, gender-age composition of population and real location of population on the territory of Estonia,” commented Professor Ene-Margit Tiit, Methodology Head of the 2011 Population and Housing Census (REL 2011). “Without this information it is not possible to make functioning and future-targeted decisions in regional, economic and social policy.”

According to Ene-Margit Tiit, several changes have occurred in population number after the last Population Census in 2000. These changes cannot be traced on the basis of registers only. “Unfortunately, Estonian people are not yet aware of the fact that while changing their place of residence it should be registered in the Population Register, it is also useful for the person himself with regard to the future. The exact knowledge of population’s location is also necessary for planning new roads or kindergartens in the future,” she added.

Ene-Margit Tiit mentioned that the Population and Housing Census also provides an answer to the question what was the emigration like from Estonia in the period between censuses and how many people permanently live in the country today. “This is a key question with regard to the future of Estonian society, because if we do not know how many and which people live in Estonia, it is difficult to set targets to be accomplished in the future,” she added.

In 2010 and 2011, the majority of countries in the world organise population and housing censuses. In Estonia, the Population and Housing Census is going to take place from 31 December 2011 until 31 March 2012.

During the first month (31.12.2011 – 31.01.2012) electronic Population Census or e-Census will take place, where people can fill out the Census questionnaire over the Internet. Those, who do not participate in the e-Census, will be interviewed by the enumerator in the period 16.02 – 31.03.2012. The preliminary results of REL 2011 will be published on 31.05.2012.

The university of the dignified which started work in the University of Tartu in September 2010 is an in-service training programme meant for persons aged over 50, where relevant topics for the society are discussed during one semester.

For additional information about the university of the dignified please visit http://www.tk.ut.ee/vaarikate-ulikool (only in Estonian).