Statistics Estonia presents the trial census results on personal, family and household data

Estonia’s next Population and Housing Census will be held based on register data, i.e. nothing will be asked directly from people, as the results will be compiled based on the information available from national databases; hence the name of the census – a Register-Based Population and Housing Census (REGREL).

To ensure a successful census, Statistics Estonia holds two trial censuses. The first trial census was conducted in 2016. During the trial census, tests were done on the census methodology, the software used for the census and the suitability of register data for producing statistics on the population and dwellings in Estonia.

“The trial census showed that a register-based population and housing census is feasible and the preparation for the census has been purposeful,” noted Andres Oopkaup, Director General of Statistics Estonia. Statistics Estonia started preparations for REGREL in 2008. “In a short time, we have achieved a position in Estonia where the methodology for conducting a register-based census has been developed and basically all data necessary for the census is available in registers,” explained Oopkaup.

For total population, the registers have data available that is of good quality for the census characteristics: sex, age, legal marital status, country of birth, citizenship, total population, ethnic nationality, mother tongue, location of dwelling, dwellings by type of building.

Statistics Estonia’s REGREL Project Manager Diana Beltadze explained that as a general rule complete census characteristics cannot be extracted from registers, because registers are mostly meant for non-statistical tasks, and registers also use definitions different from those used in statistics. “Most of the time, Statistics Estonia has to use several registers for one census characteristic,” said Beltadze.

The greatest problem when conducting a census based on register data is the difference between the registered and the actual place of residence, the impact of which becomes especially clear when trying to identify households and families based on register data, noted Beltadze. “Therefore, the trial census evaluation on the quality of register data on households and families was the lowest,” she explained. “Local governments should motivate residents to register their actual addresses in the population register,” marked Beltadze.

The press conference for the media is held today, 28 December, at 11:00 in the 5th floor conference room of Statistics Estonia (Tatari 51).

The Census Committee of the Government of the Republic approved the time of the second trial census on 19 December 2016. The second trial census will take place in 2019.