Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Unit F2: Population and migration
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
2920 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
3 May 2010
2.2. Metadata last posted
20 March 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
4 April 2022
3.1. Data description
The tables presented in the topic of households cover the total housing for 31 countries (for more information on received tables and geographic coverage, see "2001 Census Round - Tables Received" in the Annex at the bottom of the page). The level of completeness of the tables depends largely on the availability of data at the respective national statistical institutes. There are four ways of collecting census data, namely:
the traditional method of using census questionnaires (exhaustive census);
the method of using registers and/or other administrative sources;
a combination of registers and/or other administrative sources and
surveys (complete enumerations or sample surveys).
Other methods (other mixed census or micro-census) can be used as well.
Details for the method employed by each country are provided in "2001 Census Method"in the Annex at the bottom of the page.
In the same table you can find the dates on which the census was carried out in each country.
3.2. Classification system
For the 2000 census round, the Statistical Programme Committee formally approved at its 27th Session in November 1997 the Guidelines and Table Programme for the Community Programme of Population and Housing Censuses in 2001. The decision was a "gentleman's agreement" rather than a legal obligation.
For detailed information on the classification systems used by the countries see the Recommendations for the 2000 census of population and housing in the ECE region
3.3. Coverage - sector
Not applicable
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The data are collected for all persons living in private households on their relationship to the reference member of the household.
Countries are recommended to use the place of usual residence as the basis of household membership. Within the "core topic: place of usual residence" issues such as temporary absence are elaborated. If only de jure information is available on the place of residence (i.e. no information is available on the usual place of residence) then that information can be used (e.g. from registers; alone or in combination with information from other sources). However, the result must reflect the usual residence situation with sufficient accuracy.
A "private household" is either:
(a) A one-person household, i.e. a person who lives alone in a separate housing unit or who occupies, as a lodger, a separate room (or rooms) of a housing unit but does not join with any of the other occupants of the housing unit to form part of a multi-person household as defined below;
or
(b) A multi-person household, i.e. a group of two or more persons who jointly occupy the whole or part of a housing unit and provide themselves with food and possibly other essentials for living. Members of the group may pool their incomes to a greater or lesser extent.
A "family nucleus" is defined in the narrow sense as two or more persons within a private or institutional household who are related as husband and wife, as cohabiting partners, or as parent and child. Thus a family comprises a couple without children or a couple with one or more children, or a lone parent with one or more children.
Tenure status of households (core topic 16):
Private households should be classified by tenure status as follows:
1.0 Households of which a member is the owner of the housing unit
2.0 Households of which a member is a tenant of all or part of the housing unit
2.1 households of which a member is a main tenant of all or part of the
housing unit
2.2 households of which a member is a sub-tenant of an owner-occupier or main tenant
3.0 Households occupying all or part of a housing unit under some other form of
tenure
This classification is basic at the one-digit level but optional at the two-digit level.
Household status
The indicator "status or position in the household" describes the characteristics and the tenure status of private households. More information about the recommended classification is available on Guidelines and table programme for the community programme of population and housing censuses in 2001 - Volume II: Table programme - (3/1999/E/No. 10).
Type of household
The ECE (Economic Commission for Europe )/ Eurostat recommendations accept two different concepts of a private household, one described as the 'housekeeping unit concept' and the other as the 'household-dwellings' concept, with a preference for the first one, based on economic relationship between the members occupying a housing unit.
Size of household
Private households are classified by size according to the total number of resident members in the household.
Economic activity
This indicator comprises all persons who provide the supply of labour, being either employed or unemployed, for the production of goods and services.
Number of members
This indicator allows for the classification of private household by the number of household members.
Age of children (Regional Level only)
This indicator allows for the classification of the private households by the age group that the household's children belong in. The age taken into account is the one of the last birthday.
Family status (National Level only)
It gives all information about their family status for all persons.
The following classification of the population living in families is recommended:
1.0 Partner
1.1 Husband in a married couple
1.2 Wife in a married couple
1.3 Male partner in a consensual union
1.4 Female partner in a consensual union
2.0 Lone parent
2.1 Lone father
2.2 Lone mother
3.0 Child
3.1 Child aged under 25
3.1.1 Child of both partners
3.1.2 Natural or adopted child of male partner only
3.1.3 Natural or adopted child of female partner only
3.1.4 Child of lone father
3.1.5 Child of lone mother
3.2 Son/daughter aged 25 or over
3.2.1 Son/daughter of both partners
3.2.2 Natural or adopted son/daughter of male partner only
3.2.3 Natural or adopted son/daughter of female partner only
3.2.4 Son/daughter of lone father
3.2.5 Son/daughter of lone mother
A stepchild in a reconstituted family should be classified according to the relationship with both parents. If the child has been adopted by the new partner, he/she should be classified in 3.1.1 or 3.2.1. If not, he/she belongs to 3.1.2 or 3.1.3 or 3.2.2 or 3.2.3.
This classification is basic at the two-digit level. Further detail on the age of the youngest child may be added, for instance under 18, 18-24, 25-29, and 30 or over.
Type of family nucleus (National Level only)
In the case of family nuclei that are not reconstituted families, it is suggested that countries that wish to subdivide the classification by age of female partner (for couple families) and/or by age of parent (for lone parent families) do so by using at least the following age groups: below 35; 35 to 54; 55 and over. These age groups are suggested because they are significant age groupings to use in family life cycle constructs. An additional subdivision showing the age of children is encouraged.
Citizenship composition (National Level only)
For each population sub-group, information is provided to show the number of households whose members are all of the same citizenship, or mixed. In case of double citizenship, priority should be given to the parent country citizenship.
Size of family nucleus (National Level only)
Family nuclei should be classified by size according to the total number of resident members of the family. Family nuclei should also be classified according to the total number of resident children in the family. Another indicator shows the number of members who are actively involved in economic activity.
Number of children under a specific age
This indicator allows for the classification of the family nucleus by the number of resident children for different age group.
Number of economically active members
This indicator allows for the classification of family nucleus by number of economically active members.
For more information see the Recommendations for the 2000 census of population and housing in the ECE region
3.5. Statistical unit
Residents and households, meeting the requirements of indicators
3.6. Statistical population
All households
3.7. Reference area
European Union Member States, European Free Trade Association Member States and Turkey. In total the data are collected in 31 countries.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data availability varies from country to country, depending on the year the census was carried out in each country. Thus it varies from November 1995 (Malta) to May 2002 (Poland).
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Data are expressed in absolute numbers (number of residents, number of households).
The data for these European datasets were mostly transmitted to Eurostat from spring 2001 to autumn 2002. Data refer to the respective census dates on which the national censuses were taken in each country (see table below). These census dates vary from March 1999 (France) to May 2002 (Poland).
No census was conducted in Germany in 2000/2001, only a micro-census based on small sample was calculated having high error probability for small population groups. Censuses were conducted in Croatia (2001) and Malta (1995), but no results are available here.
The following table shows the census date for each country available in the datasets:
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
For the 2001 census round, the Statistical Programme Committee formally approved at its 27th Session in November 1997 the Guidelines and Table Programme for the Community Programme of Population and Housing Censuses in 2001. This decision was a "gentlemen's agreement" rather than a legal obligation.
The countries, however, agreed to create the appropriate legal framework on a national level, in order to ensure the provision of comparable statistical data on the basis of the principle of the protection of personal data.
The countries that have changed their system of collecting statistical data, moving gradually from the classic method (exhaustive census) to the use of administrative sources, base their operations on a legal framework that was created in the 1980s and early 1990s.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
none
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
done at Member State level
8.1. Release calendar
No release calendar.
8.2. Release calendar access
none
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website (see item 10 - 'Accessibility and clarity') respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
Not applicable for this collection. However, the United Nations Organization recommends that a general population census be conducted every decade.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
News releases on-line.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Census
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Please consult free data on-line or refer to contact details.
Information on the methodology can be found in the documents: "Guidelines and Table Programme for the Community Programme of Population and Housing Censuses in 2001" and "Recommendations for the 2000 census of population and housing in the ECE region".
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Relevant quality information by country can be found in the document "Recommendations for the 2000 census of population and housing in the ECE region".
11.1. Quality assurance
Done at Member State level. Many countries conduct a pilot census and/or other tests to improve the quality of the data during the pre-census period (see tab. 5 page 27 of the Documentation of the 2000 round of population and Housing Censuses in the EU, EFTA and candidate Countries ).
The duration of the pilot period ranged from one day in Greece, Ireland, Austria to 120 days in Spain; some countries use alternative collection methods, coding and data processing. About 80% of the countries that conducted a traditional or mixed census carried out at least one test, the coverage percentage of which ranged from 0,03 % (Bulgaria) to 1.5 %(Portugal). In Luxembourg, Romania, Slovak Republic, Cyprus and Turkey other pilot surveys or other tests are conducted.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Data were extracted from individual countries' reports, being prepared during the second half of 2002. Most of the reports follow a similar structure, but country-specific paragraphs (e.g. for Spain and Italy, on the comparison of census results with data from population registers) or formats (e.g. Switzerland) are also present. For countries not undertaking a census, alternative reporting formats have been chosen.
The comparative analysis is mostly based on a survey questionnaire prepared by LDSA (Laboratory of Demographic and Social Analyses). A total of 26 National Statistical Institutes responded. Three countries (Germany, Sweden and Iceland), having not implemented a census, were unable to complete the questionnaire, while three others (Netherlands, Liechtenstein and Romania) did not respond. For all the questions concerning directly the census process and treatment, the tables used for the comparative analysis don't include Liechtenstein and obviously Germany, Sweden and Iceland.
The most common census evaluation method is the post enumeration survey (PES). As far as the sample size adopted for the PES is concerned, most countries had a sample size of 1% or less, only a few have bigger sample sizes. This information highlights the different approaches to the size of post enumeration surveys, because the level of detail on which information on the coverage is seems necessary is different. Moreover, some countries evaluate the coverage based on information obtained during the census operation. For the 2000 round of censuses, some countries did not evaluate the coverage at all.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Need for regional population data, e.g. to evaluate regional cohesion.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
not evaluated
12.3. Completeness
The completeness of household data is, in some countries, affected by the usage of a breakdown of households that deviates from the one proposed internationally.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
not evaluated
13.2. Sampling error
not evaluated
13.3. Non-sampling error
not evaluated
14.1. Timeliness
Within two years after the end of the reference year.
14.2. Punctuality
For the 2001 census, the deadline for transmitting data to Eurostat was the end of June 2003. Although the Gentlemen's agreement proposed that all data should be transmitted to Eurostat by 30 June 2003, the last data were received in mid 2005, leading to a publication in September 2005, i.e. 44 months after the end of the reference year.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The comparability of household data is affected by the fact that different countries have used different methodology to enumerate households (housekeeping concept, household dwelling concept), and have not always fully respected the breakdown used for the household and family status internationally.
15.2. Comparability - over time
not evaluated
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
not evaluated
15.4. Coherence - internal
not evaluated
not evaluated
17.1. Data revision - policy
These historical data are no longer updated nor revised
17.2. Data revision - practice
These historical data are no longer updated nor revised
18.1. Source data
There are four ways of collecting census data, namely:
the traditional method of using census questionnaires (exhaustive census);
the method of using registers and/or other administrative sources;
a combination of registers and/or other administrative sources and
surveys (complete enumerations or sample surveys).
Other methods (other mixed census or micro-census) can be used as well.
Details for the method employed by each country are provided in "2001 Census Method"in the Annex at the bottom of the page.
The largest part of the countries are working on alternative methodologies not solely linked with the use of registers but also with the use of a more sophisticated statistical methodology, where the sample survey is the basis to collect information on the socio-economic characteristics of the population.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
The United Nations Organization recommends that a general population census be conducted every decade.
18.3. Data collection
The central phase of the census is the enumeration or data collection period, which is traditionally identified by 'field work'. As a result of the evolution of census methods and the introduction of registers, today the words 'data collection' may better represent this phase, where data referring to a reference date are collected through questionnaires and/or linkage and extraction from various sources. In some countries a mix of methods is applied.
As regards the questionnaire, less than 25% of all countries (such as Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Poland and Slovenia) declare to be already looking for the implementation of an electronic questionnaire. For more information see Documentation of the 2000 round of population and Housing Censuses in the EU, EFTA and candidate Countries
The collected data are presented in 34 tables for national level and in 15 tables for regional level (see "2001 Census Tables (National)" and "2001 Census Tables (Regional)" respectively in the Annex at the bottom of the page) on core topics about the population.
18.4. Data validation
The data received from the NSIs are validated by Eurostat before being sent to the database. Eurostat validates the data by cross-checking the received tables, in co-operation with the countries when necessary.
18.5. Data compilation
Not applicable
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable
For Slovenia some data have been protected for confidentiality reasons. Instead of confidential data, the letter 'z' is given. Totals include confidential data. Data confidentiality is determined by the Act Regulating the Census of Population, Households and Housings in the Republic of Slovenia in 2002 (OJ RS No. 66/00 and 26/01), the National Statistics Act (OJ RS No. 45/95, 09/01) and the Personal Data Protection Act (OJ RS No. 59/99).
For more information see Census 2001 - Households (National) and Census 2001 - Households (Regional) in the annex at the bottom of the page.
Germany did not have a census at all around 2001 (the latest census is from 1987). For this country, only the tables that could be produced on the basis of existing sources are provided. For reasons of comparability between tables, the Micro-census (an annual survey of 1% sample of the resident population) is used in the national level tables (1 - 28). Tables on dwellings are from an additional Micro-census module from spring 2002 (undertaken every 4th year). Deviations from the definitions and instructions of the Table Programme are presented in footnotes. Due to sampling errors, the figures from the Micro-census are not very reliable for small population groups (less than 5000) and are thus expressed in 1000s. No accurate validation was therefore possible for most of the tables. In the other tables the figures are based on current population statistics and employment registers.
The following two flags are used in the database:
:c = not available due to confidentiality reasons
i = more information attached in explanatory texts
The tables presented in the topic of households cover the total housing for 31 countries (for more information on received tables and geographic coverage, see "2001 Census Round - Tables Received" in the Annex at the bottom of the page). The level of completeness of the tables depends largely on the availability of data at the respective national statistical institutes. There are four ways of collecting census data, namely:
the traditional method of using census questionnaires (exhaustive census);
the method of using registers and/or other administrative sources;
a combination of registers and/or other administrative sources and
surveys (complete enumerations or sample surveys).
Other methods (other mixed census or micro-census) can be used as well.
Details for the method employed by each country are provided in "2001 Census Method"in the Annex at the bottom of the page.
In the same table you can find the dates on which the census was carried out in each country.
4 April 2022
The data are collected for all persons living in private households on their relationship to the reference member of the household.
Countries are recommended to use the place of usual residence as the basis of household membership. Within the "core topic: place of usual residence" issues such as temporary absence are elaborated. If only de jure information is available on the place of residence (i.e. no information is available on the usual place of residence) then that information can be used (e.g. from registers; alone or in combination with information from other sources). However, the result must reflect the usual residence situation with sufficient accuracy.
A "private household" is either:
(a) A one-person household, i.e. a person who lives alone in a separate housing unit or who occupies, as a lodger, a separate room (or rooms) of a housing unit but does not join with any of the other occupants of the housing unit to form part of a multi-person household as defined below;
or
(b) A multi-person household, i.e. a group of two or more persons who jointly occupy the whole or part of a housing unit and provide themselves with food and possibly other essentials for living. Members of the group may pool their incomes to a greater or lesser extent.
A "family nucleus" is defined in the narrow sense as two or more persons within a private or institutional household who are related as husband and wife, as cohabiting partners, or as parent and child. Thus a family comprises a couple without children or a couple with one or more children, or a lone parent with one or more children.
Tenure status of households (core topic 16):
Private households should be classified by tenure status as follows:
1.0 Households of which a member is the owner of the housing unit
2.0 Households of which a member is a tenant of all or part of the housing unit
2.1 households of which a member is a main tenant of all or part of the
housing unit
2.2 households of which a member is a sub-tenant of an owner-occupier or main tenant
3.0 Households occupying all or part of a housing unit under some other form of
tenure
This classification is basic at the one-digit level but optional at the two-digit level.
Household status
The indicator "status or position in the household" describes the characteristics and the tenure status of private households. More information about the recommended classification is available on Guidelines and table programme for the community programme of population and housing censuses in 2001 - Volume II: Table programme - (3/1999/E/No. 10).
Type of household
The ECE (Economic Commission for Europe )/ Eurostat recommendations accept two different concepts of a private household, one described as the 'housekeeping unit concept' and the other as the 'household-dwellings' concept, with a preference for the first one, based on economic relationship between the members occupying a housing unit.
Size of household
Private households are classified by size according to the total number of resident members in the household.
Economic activity
This indicator comprises all persons who provide the supply of labour, being either employed or unemployed, for the production of goods and services.
Number of members
This indicator allows for the classification of private household by the number of household members.
Age of children (Regional Level only)
This indicator allows for the classification of the private households by the age group that the household's children belong in. The age taken into account is the one of the last birthday.
Family status (National Level only)
It gives all information about their family status for all persons.
The following classification of the population living in families is recommended:
1.0 Partner
1.1 Husband in a married couple
1.2 Wife in a married couple
1.3 Male partner in a consensual union
1.4 Female partner in a consensual union
2.0 Lone parent
2.1 Lone father
2.2 Lone mother
3.0 Child
3.1 Child aged under 25
3.1.1 Child of both partners
3.1.2 Natural or adopted child of male partner only
3.1.3 Natural or adopted child of female partner only
3.1.4 Child of lone father
3.1.5 Child of lone mother
3.2 Son/daughter aged 25 or over
3.2.1 Son/daughter of both partners
3.2.2 Natural or adopted son/daughter of male partner only
3.2.3 Natural or adopted son/daughter of female partner only
3.2.4 Son/daughter of lone father
3.2.5 Son/daughter of lone mother
A stepchild in a reconstituted family should be classified according to the relationship with both parents. If the child has been adopted by the new partner, he/she should be classified in 3.1.1 or 3.2.1. If not, he/she belongs to 3.1.2 or 3.1.3 or 3.2.2 or 3.2.3.
This classification is basic at the two-digit level. Further detail on the age of the youngest child may be added, for instance under 18, 18-24, 25-29, and 30 or over.
Type of family nucleus (National Level only)
In the case of family nuclei that are not reconstituted families, it is suggested that countries that wish to subdivide the classification by age of female partner (for couple families) and/or by age of parent (for lone parent families) do so by using at least the following age groups: below 35; 35 to 54; 55 and over. These age groups are suggested because they are significant age groupings to use in family life cycle constructs. An additional subdivision showing the age of children is encouraged.
Citizenship composition (National Level only)
For each population sub-group, information is provided to show the number of households whose members are all of the same citizenship, or mixed. In case of double citizenship, priority should be given to the parent country citizenship.
Size of family nucleus (National Level only)
Family nuclei should be classified by size according to the total number of resident members of the family. Family nuclei should also be classified according to the total number of resident children in the family. Another indicator shows the number of members who are actively involved in economic activity.
Number of children under a specific age
This indicator allows for the classification of the family nucleus by the number of resident children for different age group.
Number of economically active members
This indicator allows for the classification of family nucleus by number of economically active members.
For more information see the Recommendations for the 2000 census of population and housing in the ECE region
Residents and households, meeting the requirements of indicators
All households
European Union Member States, European Free Trade Association Member States and Turkey. In total the data are collected in 31 countries.
The data for these European datasets were mostly transmitted to Eurostat from spring 2001 to autumn 2002. Data refer to the respective census dates on which the national censuses were taken in each country (see table below). These census dates vary from March 1999 (France) to May 2002 (Poland).
No census was conducted in Germany in 2000/2001, only a micro-census based on small sample was calculated having high error probability for small population groups. Censuses were conducted in Croatia (2001) and Malta (1995), but no results are available here.
The following table shows the census date for each country available in the datasets:
Data are expressed in absolute numbers (number of residents, number of households).
Not applicable
There are four ways of collecting census data, namely:
the traditional method of using census questionnaires (exhaustive census);
the method of using registers and/or other administrative sources;
a combination of registers and/or other administrative sources and
surveys (complete enumerations or sample surveys).
Other methods (other mixed census or micro-census) can be used as well.
Details for the method employed by each country are provided in "2001 Census Method"in the Annex at the bottom of the page.
The largest part of the countries are working on alternative methodologies not solely linked with the use of registers but also with the use of a more sophisticated statistical methodology, where the sample survey is the basis to collect information on the socio-economic characteristics of the population.
Not applicable for this collection. However, the United Nations Organization recommends that a general population census be conducted every decade.
Within two years after the end of the reference year.
The comparability of household data is affected by the fact that different countries have used different methodology to enumerate households (housekeeping concept, household dwelling concept), and have not always fully respected the breakdown used for the household and family status internationally.
