Census in Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
Population census in Hong Kong , a collection of demographic data
in Hong Kong
, is conducted by Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong Government. The census
was held every ten years and by-census is held between two census. The last census was in March 2001 and by-census was from 15 July to 1 August 2006.
in Hong Kong
to find out the characteristics and trends in population. The census is conducted in large scale and wide ranges of data would be collected. Statistics collected would be a reference for Hong Kong Government to make policy, or for private organisation to research.
was ceded to the United Kingdom
, the government has conducted a census in all villages on the island. The modern census began in 1961, and by-census in 1966 and continues every 10 years.
survey, the very details of characteristics were taken from interviewing a large sample of households and inferred by statistical method. In 2001 census, the ratio of questionnaire to visit is 7 to 1.
By-census is similar to census but only use smaller percentage of households for visiting to deduced the characteristics. 10% of household would be sampled in 2006 by-census.
When census was conducted by questionnaire, a questionnaire was sent to each household and sent back to the department by the household. For interview, an enumerator
would visit each sample household and fill detailed questionnaires for each household member.
March is selected to a census month to avoid extreme weather conditions like typhoons and major long holiday or summer vacation. In order to recruit sufficient enumerators from secondary schools, a census holiday is implemented during the census year. By-census is conducted in July. The main source of enumerators are from teachers and university students. In 2006 by-census, 5000 of enumerators are recruited with wages between HK$ 6528 to 11648.
Under the Census and Statistics Ordinance, specified persons are legally obliged to provide the information required by the 2001 Population Census. People who refuse to do so are liable to a fine of $500. Also, people wilfully providing untrue answers are liable to a fine of $5,000 and to imprisonment for 6 months.
The census counts each household member, even one might be an illegal immigrant. To ensure the accuracy of data and to encourage those interviewed to provide true answers, their information provided is strictly confidential and would be destroyed within one year.
For household:
For person:
Information filled by census officer, such as:
Information on household and quarters:
Information on household members:
Demographic and social characteristics:
Educational characteristics:
Geographical and internal migration characteristics:
Economic characteristics:
. A write-in campaign to fill in 'Canadian' was launched in June 2011.
Demographics of Hong Kong
This article is about the demographic features of the population of Hong Kong, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population....
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, is conducted by Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong Government. The census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
was held every ten years and by-census is held between two census. The last census was in March 2001 and by-census was from 15 July to 1 August 2006.
Objective
The census is based on the administrative districtsDistricts of Hong Kong
The Districts of Hong Kong are the 18 political areas by which Hong Kong is geographically divided. Each district has a district council, which was formerly known as a district board. The districts were established in the early 1980s, when Hong Kong was under British rule...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
to find out the characteristics and trends in population. The census is conducted in large scale and wide ranges of data would be collected. Statistics collected would be a reference for Hong Kong Government to make policy, or for private organisation to research.
Census and Statistics Ordinance
Census and Statistics Ordinance, which was first effective in 1978, is the main law governing the work of the Census and Statistics Department. The Ordinance provides for the taking of a census of population and the collection, compilation and publication of statistical information concerning Hong Kong and for matters connected therewith. It also provides strict safeguards on the confidentiality of data pertaining to individuals or undertakings. For example, CAP. 316 S Census and Statistics (2001 Population Census) Order and CAP. 316 U Census and Statistics (2006 Population Census) Order ordered the Commissioner shall take a census of population in specified period to obtain particulars of persons dwelling in Hong Kong. In particular, Section 4 stated that each person aged 15 or above occupying any premises subject to census shall give to the Commissioner particulars of the matters specified in the Ordinance.History
Since 1841, when Hong Kong IslandHong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
was ceded to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the government has conducted a census in all villages on the island. The modern census began in 1961, and by-census in 1966 and continues every 10 years.
Method
The census in 1961 and 1971 collected the details from every residents. From 1981, although counting of residents still is still be conducted and collection of basic information such as age and gender by questionnaireQuestionnaire
A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents. Although they are often designed for statistical analysis of the responses, this is not always the case...
survey, the very details of characteristics were taken from interviewing a large sample of households and inferred by statistical method. In 2001 census, the ratio of questionnaire to visit is 7 to 1.
By-census is similar to census but only use smaller percentage of households for visiting to deduced the characteristics. 10% of household would be sampled in 2006 by-census.
When census was conducted by questionnaire, a questionnaire was sent to each household and sent back to the department by the household. For interview, an enumerator
Enumerator
Enumerator may refer to:*Iterator *a census taker, a person performing door-to-door around census, to count the people and gather demographic data.*Enumerator polynomial...
would visit each sample household and fill detailed questionnaires for each household member.
March is selected to a census month to avoid extreme weather conditions like typhoons and major long holiday or summer vacation. In order to recruit sufficient enumerators from secondary schools, a census holiday is implemented during the census year. By-census is conducted in July. The main source of enumerators are from teachers and university students. In 2006 by-census, 5000 of enumerators are recruited with wages between HK$ 6528 to 11648.
Under the Census and Statistics Ordinance, specified persons are legally obliged to provide the information required by the 2001 Population Census. People who refuse to do so are liable to a fine of $500. Also, people wilfully providing untrue answers are liable to a fine of $5,000 and to imprisonment for 6 months.
The census counts each household member, even one might be an illegal immigrant. To ensure the accuracy of data and to encourage those interviewed to provide true answers, their information provided is strictly confidential and would be destroyed within one year.
Privacy
It is an offence for census officers to disclose data pertaining to individual persons or individual households to unauthorised persons. All field workers are required to follow designated procedures strictly, and well-trained on the data confidentiality issues. Completed questionnaires are processed and stored in a special area and any movement of document are recorded. The questionnaires are destroyed within one year. No information of individual persons or households can be deduced from the processed data.Content
Two forms are filled out. One is called the short form while the other is called the long formThe Short Form
Questionnaires completed by households are named short forms. Questions include:For household:
- set of question aims at enumerating the number of persons in the household.
For person:
- Relationship to head of household
- Sex
- Year and month of birth
- Whereabouts at the census moment
- Total amount of time spent in Hong Kong in the past six months
- Total amount of time to be spent in Hong Kong in the coming six months
- Usual accommodation in Hong Kong at present
Information filled by census officer, such as:
- Type of quarters
- Present status of quarters
- Occupancy of quarters
- Number of households in the quarters
- Type of household
The Long Form
The long form includes the following data items in addition to all of that in the short form:Information on household and quarters:
- Household income
- Number of living/dining rooms
- Number of bedrooms
- Number of kitchens
- Number of bathrooms/toilets
- Number of other rooms
- Tenure of accommodation
- Rent
- Rates, Government rent and management fee
- Outstanding mortgage or loan period
- Mortgage payment or loan repayment
Information on household members:
Demographic and social characteristics:
- Marital status
- Nationality
- Ethnicity
- Usual language
- Ability to speak other languages/ dialects
Educational characteristics:
- School attendance
- Educational attainment
- highest level attended
- highest level completed
- Place of study
- Mode of transport to place of study
- Field of education
Geographical and internal migration characteristics:
- Place of birth
- Duration of residence in Hong Kong
- Place of residence 5 years ago
Economic characteristics:
- Economic activity status
- Industry
- Occupation
- Place of work
- Mode of transport to place of work
- Earnings from main employment
- Earnings from secondary employment
- Other cash income
Write In Campaign 'Canadian'
It has been suggested that question P8 (short form) regarding ethnicity be answered with more information, in particular for the 300,000+ Canadians in Hong KongCanadians in Hong Kong
Like their American counterparts, a significant number of people with Canadian citizenship live and work in Hong Kong. Many are former Hong Kong residents that left prior to the 1997 handover and later returned when they had a Canadian passport and had some of the fears allayed. Some are...
. A write-in campaign to fill in 'Canadian' was launched in June 2011.