Explainer | What is China’s 2020 census, and why is it important?
- China conducted its seventh national population census in November and December 2020
- Held once a decade, it will be crucial to future economic and social planning
A new and updated version of this explainer on China's census can be found here.
China conducted its seventh national population census in November and December 2020, where a huge range of personal and household information, including the age, education, occupation, marital and migration status of people living in the world’s most populous nation was gathered.
Because of the vast number of people surveyed, it will in theory provide the most accurate information on changes to China’s population and be used as a key resource for future planning.
How does China’s census work?
For two months, some seven million census takers went from door-to-door to collect information from Chinese households, with each official assigned to 250 people. The National Bureau of Statistics and local governments will then release information within two years, although preliminary results are expected in April 2021.
China will also conduct a sample survey of 1 per cent of the population – also known as “micro population census” – between the 2020 census and the 2030 census to monitor population changes, according to official regulations.