What is the census?
What is the Population and Housing Census?It is one of the most important national statistics. Census results are used as basic data for the establishment and development of major policies by surveying all people and housing units within the territory of the Republic of Korea.
Definition of the Population and Housing Census
According to the definition of the United Nations as a national fundamental survey to identify the size and characteristics of all people and housing units in Korea, a population and housing census is defined as the total process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analysing and publishing or otherwise disseminating demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specified time, to all persons, households and living quarters in a country or in a well-delimited part of a country.
Characteristics of the Population and Housing Census
- 1It is a historical and worldwide statistical survey.
- The census originated in ancient Babylonia (around 3600 B.C.). In 1790, the first modern census was conducted in the United States.
- In the 2020 round of population and housing censuses (2015~2024), among 238 UN member states, 227 countries (95%) carried out the census.
- 2It is a national fundamental survey.
- As a national fundamental survey, the census is carried out by covering all people and living quarters within the national territory (completeness), at one specific time point (simultaneity), individually (individuality) at a specific cycle (periodicity).
- Census results are used as basic data in various fields including policy making, planning, research and evaluation of governmental agencies, private enterprises, academic organizations and the general public.
- As a benchmark for statistics in all social fields, census results are used as a population and sample frame for various household sample surveys.
- 3Statistical data is compiled up to the micro-regional level.
- Statistical data is compiled up to the Eup, Myeon & Dong administrative district level and is provided as basic data for establishing and developing regional policies.
- Census results are used for various geospacial analyses by providing information at the micro-regional level in connection with the Geographical Information System (GIS).