Enumerators are out and about, but there are no home visits
There is exactly one week left until the end of the Population and Housing Census, as data collection continues with phone interviews. Due to the epidemic, there will be no home visits during this census. But enumerators are visiting the addresses included in the mandatory random sample to post notes that ask residents to make contact.
“At the moment, our enumerators are delivering notes to the persons that we have not been able to reach by phone, or to mailboxes at those addresses for which there is no phone number listed in the Population Register,” explained Liina Osila, Population and Housing Census project manager. “This means that enumerators may still be seen on the streets in certain areas. Enumerators will not be knocking on your door, but if the resident sees them and wants to answer the questions then and there, it is possible to conduct the interview in person, provided that this suits both parties and that all the necessary health precautions are observed.”
Enumerators always carry proof of employment and wear a bright scarf and gloves with the census logo and colour scheme. The scarf is mostly blue but also features census logo elements in orange. The gloves are blue with orange cuffs. The enumerators also carry proof of employment, showing their name, ID number and the census logo on an orange background. If necessary, these details can be used to verify that the person really is an enumerator from Statistics Estonia.
“If you see a person wearing these items on your street or in front of your house, you can be sure that it is our enumerator who has come to deliver a note to you or your neighbour or to check whether the dwelling is inhabited or uninhabited. We want to stress that if you find a census note in your mailbox, you should definitely call the specified number,” added Osila.
In February, enumerators contact the people who live at addresses included in the mandatory random sample. The second stage of the population census, which lasts until the end of February, is conducted as phone interviews. “An enumerator will make a call if we determine that someone living at the same address has not completed the e-census or has started the e-questionnaire but did not finish it. If a person has already filled in the questionnaire, we will verify this based on the personal identification code and will not interview the person again. But the enumerator will ask the respondent’s help in order to contact other people living at the same address,” explained Osila.
By 21 February, according to preliminary data, 71.7% of the addresses across Estonia that are included in the mandatory sample have been enumerated. The response rate has been the highest in Hiiu and Saare counties where over 78% of the sample addresses have been enumerated.
Nearly 600,000 persons were enumerated using the online census questionnaire. The goal of the second stage in February is to collect sample survey responses from as many people living at the mandatory sample addresses as possible. Although just over 61,000 persons across Estonia live at such addresses, all completed e-census forms are taken into account in the census. The survey data are supplemented with data obtained from 32 registers. Thus, all residents of Estonia will be enumerated.
Response rate among the mandatory sample by county (as at 21 February):
- Hiiu county – 78.7%
- Saare county – 78.4%
- Valga county – 77.3%
- Rapla county – 76.7%
- Põlva county – 75.2%
- Harju county – 74%
- Tartu county – 72.7%
- Lääne-Viru county – 72.4%
- Viljandi county – 71.9%
- Võru county – 69.7%
- Järva county – 67.7%
- Ida-Viru county – 67.4%
- Jõgeva county – 66.9%
- Pärnu county – 66.5%
- Lääne county – 58.1%
For more information, please visit rahvaloendus.ee.