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Pilot survey for 2016 Population By-census enters face-to-face interview phase
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     The Pilot Survey for the 2016 Population By-census will proceed to the face-to-face interview phase tomorrow (July 16), a spokesman for the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) said. Census officers will visit households that have not yet completed their electronic questionnaires to collect the requested information.

     The pilot survey covers some 3 000 units of quarters in four selected District Council districts, namely Eastern, Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong and Yuen Long. The C&SD sent out letters earlier to inform households in the sampled units of quarters that they had been selected for the pilot survey. All households and people staying in the sampled units of quarters will be enumerated. Survey respondents of the selected units of quarters may complete their electronic questionnaires online or using the e-Questionnaire mobile app.

     From July 16 to August 2, 2015, the department will arrange for census officers to visit households that have not yet completed their electronic questionnaires and the officers will use mobile tablets to collect the requested information. Households may book an appointment online (www.bycensus2016.gov.hk) or by telephone (2920 2016), for a convenient interviewing time.  

     Each census officer will carry a Government/Enumerator Identity Card and a certificate issued by the C&SD for conducting the survey. The Identity Card will bear the photo, name and identity number of the census officer concerned. The census officer will also carry a red satchel bearing the C&SD's logo and marked with "Pilot Survey for the 2016 Population By-census". Census officers will, in general, visit households from 1pm to 10pm on any day (including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) during the interview phase.  

     The spokesman reminded households to carefully check the identity of census officers before admitting them to their premises. In case of doubt, households may call the 2016 Population By-census Telephone Enquiry Centre at 2920 2016. The spokesman encouraged households to support the survey by co-operating with census officers and also called on households who have registered with electronic questionnaire to submit their completed questionnaires at their earliest convenience.

     The spokesman reiterated that information on individuals and households collected in the pilot survey will be kept in strict confidence and will not be released to any unauthorised parties including government departments, adding that all questionnaires will be destroyed within 12 months after the survey has been completed.

     It is an established practice for Hong Kong to conduct a population census every 10 years and a by-census in the middle of the intercensal period. The aim is to obtain up-to-date benchmark information on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the Hong Kong population and its geographical distribution. Such information is vital to the Government for planning and policy formulation, and to the private sector and academia for business and research purposes.

     A by-census differs from a census in that the former does not have a complete head count of the population, but collects detailed characteristics from a large sample of the population. It will then project the size and the characteristics of the entire population from the sample results in accordance with appropriate statistical theory.

     For more details about the Pilot Survey for the 2016 Population By-census, please visit www.bycensus2016.gov.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Issued at HKT 10:00

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