Population and housing censuses
This subsection provides information on population and housing censuses, which are the backbone of population and social statistics.
What is a census?
A census typically happens every 10 years. The census counts the entire population and housing stock of a given country and collects information on its main characteristics. These are mainly geographic, demographic, social and economic, as well as household, family and housing characteristics.
The census is a rich source of statistical information, ranging from the lowest geographical divisions, covering small areas, to the national and international levels. Population and housing censuses in the EU are based on European statistical legislation that sets out key statistical definitions and the data and metadata to be produced by EU countries.
Census round 2021
The 2021 EU population and housing census is completed.
The 2021 EU census round came at a time of fundamental transition: administrative data sources have become the main data source for the census data collection in the majority of EU countries. There have been rapid changes in user priorities, with a growing importance given to small area data. The term ‘small area’ in the context of census data typically refers to geographical units smaller than regions or administrative divisions like provinces or counties.
In Europe, a major innovation is the presentation of key census topics on a harmonised EU-wide 1 km2 grid. This will allow for much more flexible analyses, as users can focus on geographical areas of their interest regardless of national borders that maybe may cross borders, tailored to research or policy needs.
For more information, please also consult our information on data page.
Census round 2011
The 2011 EU census round was a milestone. For the first time, European legislation defined in detail a set of harmonised high-quality data to be produced in all EU countries.
Given the large volume and richness of data, new means of data transmission and dissemination were needed. To meet this challenge, a modern and innovative technical tool for transmitting and disseminating data from the national statistical institutes was developed and used. This is the Census Hub.