Censos de población y vivienda por país

En Argelia se han realizado censos de población y vivienda en 1966, 1977, 1987, 1998, ^{[ 2 ]} 2008, ^{[ 3 ]} y 2020. ^{[ 4 ]}

Bandera argelina

Escudo de armas de Argelia

Los censos generales de población y vivienda ( portugués : Recenseamento Geral da População e Habitação (RGPH)) se realizaron en 1970 y 2014. El censo de 1970 contaba con 5.646.166 habitantes. El censo de 2014 contaba con 25.789.024 habitantes al 16 de mayo de 2014. ^{[ 5 ]}

Bandera de Angola

Escudo de armas de Angola

Se realizaron censos de población y vivienda en 1978, 1992 , 2002 y 2013. ^{[ 6 ] [ 7 ]} Se publicaron los resultados preliminares del censo de 2013. ^{[ 7 ]} Los resultados finales se publicaron en 2015. ^{[ 8 ]}

En Botsuana, los censos están a cargo de Statistics Botswana (anteriormente Oficina Central de Estadística). En la historia de Botsuana se han realizado doce censos. El más reciente tuvo lugar en abril de 2022.

El Institut National de la Statistique et de la Demographie ha realizado cuatro censos: en 1975, 1985, 1996, 2006 y 2019. ^{[ 9 ]}

El primer y hasta ahora único censo realizado en la República Democrática del Congo data de 1984. ^{[ 10 ]}

El Departamento de Estadística del Ministerio de Finanzas realizó el primer censo en 1882, considerado un paso preparatorio; el primer censo de población propiamente dicho se llevó a cabo en 1897. Posteriormente, se realizaron censos cada diez años en 1907, 1917, 1927, y así sucesivamente. El último se realizó en 2017.

Bandera egipcia

Escudo de armas de Egipto

En Etiopía se han realizado tres censos : en 1984, 1994 y 2007. La institución responsable es la Agencia Central de Estadística . La mayor parte del censo de 2007 se realizó en agosto, mientras que las regiones de Somali y Afar no fueron incluidas. La región norteña de Afar es una zona remota, cálida y árida. La región oriental de Somali ( Ogaden ) alberga una gran población nómada somalí y es una zona de conflicto donde las fuerzas regulares etíopes luchan contra el Frente de Liberación Nacional de Ogaden ( ONLF ). ^{[ 6 ]}

Se han realizado cuatro censos generales de población y vivienda (en francés: Recensement Général de la Population et de l'Habitat (RGPH)), ^{[ 11 ]} siendo los más recientes los de 1998 y 2014. ^{[ 12 ]}

Bandera de Costa de Marfil

Escudo de armas de Costa de Marfil

El primer censo en Kenia se realizó en 1948, cuando Kenia aún era una colonia administrada por los británicos. Desde 1969, el censo se realiza cada diez años. El último censo, supervisado por la Oficina Nacional de Estadística de Kenia , se llevó a cabo en 2019 y registró una población de 47,6  millones. ^{[ 13 ]}

Bandera de Kenia

Escudo de armas de Kenia

Madagascar realizó su último censo en 2018, el tercero que se llevó a cabo. Registró una población residente total de 25.674.186 habitantes. ^{[ 14 ]}

Los censos de población y vivienda de Mauricio se realizaron en 1972, 1983, 2000 y 2011; si bien en el censo de 1972 se solicitó a los encuestados que identificaran su raza u origen étnico, esta pregunta se eliminó de los censos posteriores porque "el gobierno consideró que era una pregunta divisiva". ^{[ 15 ]} La Ley de Estadística dispuso que todos los censos oficiales fueran realizados por Statistics Mauritius , además de servir como depositario central de esta información. ^{[ 16 ]}

Desde la independencia en 1960, 1971, 1982, 1994, 2004 y 2014. ^{[ 17 ]} Los resultados del censo de 2014 se publicarán en http://rgph-2014.hcp.ma/ a finales de 2014.

Bandera marroquí

Escudo de armas de Marruecos

El primer censo se realizó en 1980. El segundo en 1997. El tercero se llevó a cabo del 1 al 14 de agosto de 2007. El cuarto y más reciente se realizó en 2017.

De conformidad con la Ley de Estadística n.º 66 de 1976 , Namibia realiza un Censo de Población y Vivienda cada diez años. Tras la independencia , el primero se llevó a cabo en 1991, seguido de rondas posteriores en 2001 y 2011. ^{[ 18 ]} En Namibia, se utiliza el método de facto . ^{[ 19 ]} Para fines de enumeración, el país se divide en 4042 áreas de enumeración . Estas áreas no se superponen con los límites de las circunscripciones electorales para obtener datos fiables también para fines electorales. ^{[ 20 ]}

En Nigeria se realizaron censos de población durante la época colonial en 1866, 1871, 1896, 1901, 1911, 1921 y 1952. Los censos abarcaron únicamente la parte sur del país, excepto el de 1952, que fue a nivel nacional, y los censos anteriores a 1921 se basaron en estimaciones administrativas en lugar de en un recuento real.

Los censos realizados durante la independencia se llevaron a cabo en 1962, 1963, 1973, 1991 y 2006. Los resultados del censo de 1962 se consideraron tan inexactos que se ordenó un nuevo censo el 19 de febrero de 1963. ^{[ 21 ]} Los resultados de 1973 y 2006 fueron muy controvertidos, pero no se realizaron recuentos. Los resultados preliminares de 2006 indican una población de 140  millones de personas. En esta operación participaron 700 000 empadronadores.

En Somalia solo se ha realizado un censo exitoso, en 1975. El censo de 1986 quedó incompleto y sus resultados nunca se publicaron. ^{[ 22 ]}

El Cabo de Buena Esperanza realizó el primer censo científico moderno en 1865, siguiendo los principios establecidos por la Oficina Colonial Británica, y repitió el ejercicio en 1875 y 1891.23 El Estado Libre de Orange hizo lo mismo en 1880 y 1890, imitando muchas de las características del Cabo de Buena Esperanza.24 La República Sudafricana (Transvaal) hizo lo mismo en 1890. Sin embargo, el censo se limitó a la población blanca. Después de la Guerra de Sudáfrica de 1899-1902, todas las colonias realizaron censos en abril de 1904, pero aunque hubo una amplia coordinación, los resultados se presentaron según las opiniones de los cuatro comisionados individuales del censo.28 Por lo tanto, la coordinación detallada de los censos que se observaba en la Australia prefederal no se dio en Sudáfrica. El establecimiento de la Unión Sudafricana como dominio británico en 1910 hizo necesaria una nueva enumeración en el país y la definición estadística del nuevo estado y la ordenación de su población a través del censo. ^{[ 23 ] [ 24 ]} El primer censo de la Unión Sudafricana se realizó en 1911. Desde entonces se han realizado varias enumeraciones, ^{[ 25 ]} siendo las tres más recientes llevadas a cabo por Statistics South Africa en 1996, 2001 , 2011 y 2022.

En Sudán se realizaron censos de población en 1955/56, 1973 (nacional), 1983 (nacional) y 1993 (solo en el norte). En abril de 2008 se llevó a cabo un censo. Algunas zonas, como Darfur , Juba y Malakal , resultaron difíciles de censar.

Los censos generales de población y vivienda se llevaron a cabo en 1960, 1970, 1981 y 2010. ^{[ 26 ]}

Los censos generales de población y vivienda (en francés: Recensement Général de la Population et de l'Habitat (RGPH)) se llevaron a cabo en 1921, 1926, 1931, 1936, 1946, 1956, 1966, 1975, 1984, 1994, 2004 y 2014. ^{[ 27 ]} Los primeros resultados ^{[ 28 ]} (20%) se publicaron el 12 de septiembre de 2014, ^{[ 29 ]} los resultados finales se publicaron entre enero y diciembre de 2015. ^{[ 30 ]}

Bandera tunecina

Escudo de armas de Túnez

Los primeros censos en Uganda se realizaron en 1911, 1921 y 1931. Se llevaron a cabo de una manera bastante rudimentaria. La unidad de enumeración eran las chozas, no las personas. En 1948 y 1959 se realizaron censos más científicos, donde la unidad de enumeración fueron las personas. Sin embargo, el censo se dividió en dos enumeraciones separadas: una para la población africana y otra para la población no africana.

Los censos realizados durante la independencia en 1969, 1980 y 1991 se llevaron a cabo de forma conjunta para todas las razas. Los censos de 1980 y 1991 incluyeron información sobre la vivienda y, además, un cuestionario más extenso para una muestra de la población. Sin embargo, los cuestionarios del censo de 1980 se perdieron y solo se dispone de cifras provisionales.

El censo de 2002 involucró a unos 50 000 empadronadores y supervisores. Abarcó varios temas, entre ellos: población y vivienda; agricultura; y micro y pequeñas empresas, administrado a nivel individual/familiar. Los resultados preliminares se publicaron dos semanas después del censo. Los resultados finales se publicaron en marzo de 2005, mientras que los resultados analíticos y los resultados a nivel de distrito estaban programados para publicarse en el segundo trimestre de 2006. ^{[ 31 ]}

El siguiente censo se realizó en agosto de 2014 bajo el lema «Contar para planificar y mejorar la prestación de servicios». ^{[ 32 ]} Los resultados provisionales se publicaron en noviembre de 2014 y el informe principal se publicó en marzo de 2016. ^{[ 33 ]} En agosto de 2024, se realizó el último censo bajo el lema «Importa ser contado». El informe final se publicó en diciembre de 2024. ^{[ 34 ]}

Bandera de Uganda

Escudo de armas de Uganda

Los censos de población y vivienda se llevaron a cabo en 1991, 2001 y 2011. ^{[ 35 ]} El censo de 2011 se publicó en mayo de 2014.

Los censos nacionales de población se realizan en Argentina aproximadamente cada diez años, los últimos se llevaron a cabo en 2001, ^{[ 6 ]} el 27 de octubre de 2010 y el 18 de mayo de 2022.

Bandera argentina

Escudo de armas

El Servicio de Estadística de Barbados (BSS) realiza censos de población en Barbados. El último censo importante se llevó a cabo en 2021.

Bolivia se independizó de España el 6 de agosto de 1825, y desde entonces el país ha logrado realizar alrededor de 11 censos de población y vivienda a lo largo de su historia como país independiente.

El primer censo de población de Bolivia se realizó en 1831 y cuatro años después se llevó a cabo el segundo censo en 1835, el tercero en 1845, el cuarto en 1854 y finalmente el quinto censo en 1882, siendo este el último censo del siglo XIX.

Durante el siglo XX, Bolivia solo realizó cuatro censos; el primero a principios de siglo, en 1900, y el segundo en 1950 (50 años después), ya a mediados del siglo XX. El siguiente censo se llevó a cabo 26 años más tarde, en 1976, y el último, 16 años después, en 1992, siendo este también el último del siglo.

A principios del siglo XXI, Bolivia realizó un nuevo censo de población en 2001 y, 11 años después, se llevó a cabo otro censo en 2012. Actualmente, y tras 12 años, Bolivia realizará su tercer censo el 23 de marzo de 2024, siendo este el tercer censo de población y vivienda del siglo.

Bandera boliviana

Escudo de armas de Bolivia

El censo brasileño lo realiza el Instituto Brasileño de Geografía y Estadística cada 10 años . El último se realizó en 2010. Los censos anteriores se llevaron a cabo en 1872 ( el primero ), 1900, 1920, 1941, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1991, 2000 y 2010.

El Censo Demográfico de Brasil es una de las recopilaciones de datos censales más jerárquicas del mundo. Sus niveles jerárquicos incluyen: Brasil (País), Grandes Regiones, Estados, Macrorregiones, Microrregiones, Municipios, Distritos, Subdistritos, Barrios y Áreas Censales.

Dependiendo de la jerarquía administrativa, algunos tipos de datos no se publican para respetar la confidencialidad.

Por ejemplo:

1. La zona inferior de recopilación de datos es el distrito censal, con aproximadamente 300 hogares, y se recoge información sobre edad, estado de la vivienda, género, ingresos, entre otros.
2. Distritos: información sobre raza, color, religión, discapacidad, etc.
3. Municipios (ciudades): además de la información ya descrita, hay información sobre el PIB, la producción industrial, la producción agrícola, la migración entre ciudades para estudiar o trabajar, la migración para vivir, la inflación, las tasas de empleo, el número de industrias, el volumen de comercio, etc.

La información se recopila mediante ordenadores portátiles equipados con receptores GPS y mapas digitalizados.

El siguiente censo estaba programado para comenzar el 1 de agosto de 2020, pero se retrasó dos veces debido a la pandemia de COVID-19. ^{[ 37 ] [ 38 ]} El censo está programado para comenzar el 1 de agosto de 2022. Más de un millón de personas solicitaron 206.891 puestos. ^{[ 39 ]}

Bandera brasileña

Escudo de armas de Brasil

El censo canadiense está a cargo de Statistics Canada . El censo de Nueva Francia de 1666 fue realizado por el intendente francés Jean Talon , quien llevó a cabo un censo para determinar el número de habitantes de Nueva Francia . El método y los datos se utilizaron posteriormente cuando se fundó Canadá 201 años después. Las provincias (a veces de forma conjunta) realizaron censos en el siglo XIX y antes. En 1871, se realizó el primer censo formal de Canadá, que contabilizó la población de Nueva Escocia , Ontario, Nuevo Brunswick y Quebec .

En Canadá, los censos se realizan cada cinco años. El último censo se llevó a cabo en 2021. Los censos realizados a mediados de década (1976, 1986, 1996, etc.) se denominan censos quinquenales. Los demás se denominan censos decenales. El primer censo quinquenal se realizó en 1956.

Para el Censo de Canadá de 2006, los encuestados pudieron completar su cuestionario en línea por primera vez. Otras opciones para responder el cuestionario incluían el correo postal (utilizando un sobre prepagado) y el teléfono (llamando a un número gratuito ).

A nivel subnacional, dos provincias ( Alberta y Saskatchewan ) y dos territorios ( Nunavut y Yukón ) tienen legislación que permite a los gobiernos locales realizar sus propios censos municipales . ^{[ 40 ]}

Bandera canadiense

En Chile, el Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) realiza censos nacionales de población cada diez años . El último se llevó a cabo en 2012, pero sus resultados fueron desestimados por el INE debido a una alta tasa de omisión y otros problemas. ^{[ 41 ]} En abril de 2017 se realizó un nuevo censo abreviado, y se prevé realizar un censo completo en 2022. ^{[ 42 ]} Los últimos resultados oficiales del censo datan de 2002.

Bandera chilena

Escudo de armas de Chile

Los censos de población y vivienda en Colombia fueron realizados por el Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística en 1825, 1835, 1843, 1851, 1864, 1870, 1905, 1912, 1918, 1928, 1938, 1951, 1964, 1973, 1985, 1993, 2005 y 2018. ^{[ 43 ]}

Bandera colombiana

Escudo de armas de Colombia

Costa Rica realizó su décimo censo de población en 2011. El INEC ( Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos) es el encargado de llevar a cabo estos censos. Los censos anteriores de Costa Rica se realizaron en 1864, 1883, 1892, 1927, 1950, 1963, 1973, 1984 y 2000. El próximo censo está programado para 2022. ^{[ 44 ]}

Bandera de Costa Rica

Escudo de armas de Costa Rica

Cuba realizó su decimoctavo censo de población en 2012. El próximo censo está programado para 2025.

Se han realizado censos generales de población y vivienda en 1960, 1971, 1981, 1992, 2001 y 2011. En 2021, la Oficina Central de Estadística de Curazao llevará a cabo un nuevo censo. Para obtener más información y consultar los resultados de los censos anteriores, visite la Biblioteca Digital de la Oficina Central de Estadística.

Los censos más recientes en Ecuador fueron los de 2001, 2010 y 2022.

Bandera ecuatoriana

Escudo de armas de Ecuador

En Guatemala se han realizado censos de población modernos en 1930, 1950, 1964, 1973, 1981, 1994, 2002 y 2018. ^{[ 46 ]} Entre los censos controvertidos se encuentran los de 1950 y 1964 (clasificación errónea de la población maya) y el de 1994 (generalmente cuestionado). Aproximadamente 14 000 000 de personas vivían en Guatemala en julio de 2009.

Bandera guatemalteca

Escudo de armas de Guatemala

Los censos generales de población y vivienda (en francés: Recensement Général de la Population et de l'Habitat (RGPH)) se han llevado a cabo en 1950, 1971, 1982, 2003 y 2014. ^{[ 48 ]} Los primeros resultados del censo de 2014 se publicarán entre noviembre y diciembre de 2014; ^{[ 49 ]} los resultados finales se publicarán en noviembre de 2015. ^{[ 50 ]}

Honduras ha realizado un censo nacional cada 11 a 14 años desde 1950. Su primer censo como país independiente tuvo lugar en 1881. El próximo censo está programado para 2026.

Bandera de Honduras

Escudo de armas

• Se han realizado censos nacionales de población en 1910, 1921, 1930, 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 y 2010. ^{[ 54 ]}
• Se han realizado censos económicos nacionales en 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 y 2014. ^{[ 55 ]}

Bandera mexicana

Escudo de armas de México

El primer censo en Perú se realizó en 1836. El decimotercer y último fue el Censo de 2025 y fue realizado por el Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática en 2025.

Bandera peruana

Escudo de armas de Perú

La Constitución de los Estados Unidos y la ley federal exigen que se realice un censo cada diez años para distribuir el número de miembros de la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos entre los distintos estados. ^{[ 59 ] [ 60 ]} Las estadísticas del censo también se utilizan para distribuir fondos federales para muchos programas sociales y económicos.

El primer censo de Estados Unidos fue realizado en 1790 por alguaciles federales . Durante el siglo XIX y hasta el censo de 1940, el recuento se llevó a cabo a través de distritos políticos. Cada distrito electoral era responsable de realizar su propio censo.

A partir de 1950, los formularios del censo se enviaron por correo a todas las direcciones registradas en el Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos , incluido el Sistema Postal de las Fuerzas Armadas, con el fin de mejorar la exhaustividad de los datos recopilados. Desde 1970, se prohibió no devolver un formulario del censo debidamente cumplimentado. Asimismo, se introdujo la tecnología informática.

El censo de 2010 contabilizó a más de 308 millones de personas.

Por ley (92 Stat. 915, Ley Pública 95-416, promulgada el 5 de octubre de 1978), los registros individuales del censo se mantienen confidenciales durante 72 años. ^{[ 61 ]} Los datos individuales del censo publicados más recientemente corresponden al censo de 1940, publicado el 2 de abril de 2012. Los datos agregados del censo se publican cuando están disponibles.

Además del censo federal decenal, también se han realizado censos locales, por ejemplo, en Massachusetts , que llevó a cabo un censo estatal cada cinco años hasta 1985. Algunos estados realizaron censos limitados con diversos fines, y estos suelen encontrarse en los archivos estatales.

El próximo censo estaba programado para comenzar el 1 de abril de 2020 ^{[ 62 ]} pero los retrasos debido a la pandemia de COVID-19 en curso significaron que la mayoría de las áreas no asignaron empadronadores y comenzaron a contar hasta después del 1 de agosto de 2020, incluso cuando sus preguntas todavía están escritas para tabular información sobre el estado de una unidad de vivienda en la fecha anterior.

El censo de 2020 contabilizó a más de 331 millones de personas. ^{[ 63 ]}

Bandera de los Estados Unidos

Escudo de armas de los Estados Unidos

The study of the population in Venezuela is in charge of the National Institute of Statistics, which is in charge of collecting, analyzing and publishing data. Its best known publication is the Population Census, which is carried out in a period of no more than 15 years.

The last study of this type was carried out in 2011 between September and November.^[64]

Venezuelan flag

Coat of arms of Venezuela

A partial and incomplete population census was taken in Afghanistan in June 1979.^[66][6] Wars since then have caused significant population displacement and there has not been an updated count nor does the nation seem to have the technical ability nor will to tackle a modern census.

Population censuses have been taken in Armenia under Russian/Soviet rule in 1831, 1873, 1886, 1897, 1922, 1926, 1939, 1959, 1970, 1979, and 1989. Beginning in 1991, three more censuses' have been carried out in Armenia: one in 2001, one in 2011 and one in 2022.^[67]

Population censuses have been taken in Azerbaijan under Russian/Soviet rule in 1897, 1926, 1937, 1939, 1959, 1970, 1979, and 1989. Beginning in 1991, two more censuses have been carried out in Azerbaijan: one in 1999 and one in 2009.^[68]

Population censuses were conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in 1974, 1981, 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2022. The 2022 Census was the nation's first digital census.

Bangladeshi flag

Coat of arms of Bangladesh

From the end of the imperial period in 1911, China's first censuses were irregular: the Republic of China held censuses in 1913 and 1944. Under Mao Zedong, the People's Republic of China held its first in 1952, but the second in 1963 was secret and unacknowledged until the early 1980s.

The 1982 Chinese census was much more thorough and well-conducted than the first two, and similar censuses have been conducted decennially in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020.^[69] These are the world's biggest censuses and over 6 million enumerators were engaged in the 2000 and 2010 censuses.

Between the national censuses, 1% National Population Sample Surveys were taken in 1987, 1995, and 2005; 0.1% National Population Sample Surveys have been taken annually since 2000.^[70] National agricultural, economic, and industrial censuses are also taken on a regular basis. The first economic census was taken in 2004 and the second 2008.^[71]

Chinese flag

Coat of arms of China

The British carried out seven censuses in Cyprus in total: six at ten-year intervals between 1881 and 1931, and the last in 1946. Following the establishment of the modern state, there have been seven more censuses: in 1960 (the year of establishment), 1973, 1976, 1982, 1992, 2001 and 2011. The Statistical Service of the Cypriot government counts from the first British census, i.e. the latest census, in 2011, is referred to as the 14th census. In Northern Cyprus there have been three censuses: in 1996, 2006 and 2011. All three have been a matter of controversy, both in the north and the south, and abroad.

Census takes place every 10 years and by-census between two censuses by the Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong. The last census was the 2021 Population Census in Hong Kong.

The decennial census of India is the primary source of information about the demographic characteristics of the population of India. The 2011 census is one of the largest censuses in the history of mankind.^[72]

The first census in India in modern times was conducted in 1873. First regular census was started in 1881 by Lord Ripon. Since then, a population census has been carried out every 10 years. The latest census commenced on May 1, 2010. It will create a National Population Register with photographs and fingerprints of every resident. All usual residents of India will also be provided with their Unique ID numbers and National Identity Cards. The census is carried out by the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Delhi, an office in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, under the 1948 Census of India Act. The act gives Central Government many powers like to notify a date for Census, power to ask for the services of any citizen for census work. The law makes it compulsory for every citizen to answer the census questions truthfully. The Act provides penalties for giving false answers or not giving answers at all to the census questionnaire. One of the most important provisions of law is the guarantee for the maintenance of secrecy of the information collected at the census of each individual. The census records are not open to inspection and also not admissible in evidence.

The census is conducted in two phases: first, house listing and house numbering phase and second, the actual population enumeration phase. The census is carried out by the canvassing method. In this method, each household is visited and the information is collected by specially trained enumerator. They collect data related to households e.g. number of members, water & electricity supply, ownership of land, vehicles, computers and other assets and services. In the second phase, total population is counted and statistics related to individuals are collected and saved into the governments hand.^[72]

Indian flag

Coat of arms of India

The first population census was done during the colonial era, 1930. Before that, a non-overall census was already conducted in 1920. After that census was done irregularly. The first census after independence was 1961, followed by 1971. Since 1980 it is conducted regularly every 10 years. In between, there is also economical census (every 10 years, five years after population census) and agricultural census (three years after population census). The last census was held in September 2020 (2020 Indonesian census).

The Statistical Center of Iran carries out nationwide population and housing censuses every ten years, the first of which conducted in 1956 (1335 AP) reporting a total population of 19 million people. Since then, seven other censuses were conducted in 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006, 2011, 2016. As seen, the two censuses in 2006 and 2011 were conducted on a five-year basis, following a 2008 law. The law was rescinded in 2020, with the president announcing that the next census would be conducted in 2026, due to modernizing method to Register-based Census.^[73]

Iranian flag

Coat of arms of Iran

The Central Statistical Organization – Ministry of Planning of Iraq is responsible for population and housing censuses.

According to the British government in Iraq, the population estimate in 1920 was 3 million. In 1927, the General Directorate of Population carried out the census, the population estimate was 2,968,054. Later, there were another 8 censuses in the years 1934, 1947, 1957, 1965, 1977, 1987, 1997 and the last one that was carried out in 2024.

The 1997 census was considered to be incomplete as the Kurdistan region was not counted at the census.

After the War of Iraq, there was a plan for a new population and housing census, and in November 2024 the first nationwide census in nearly 40 years, however the ethnicity question was omitted due to conflicts. The 2024 census counted that 45.4 million people lived in Iraq ^[74][75]

Iraqi flag

Coat of arms of Iraq

The first census in the state of Israel was held in November 1948, six months after its creation, to establish the population registry.^[76] Subsequent censuses were conducted by the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS) in 1961, 1972, 1983, 1995 and 2008.^[76] In these, 20% of households completed a detailed survey and the remainder a shorter questionnaire.^[76] There is no legal requirement to hold a census within a given interval; in practice, the ICBS requests and the government decides.^[76] The next census is scheduled for 2022.^[77]

Since 1920, Japan has conducted Population Census to collect census information every five years,^[78] with the exceptions of the 6th in 1947 instead of 1945 and some extra censuses during 1944–1948.^[79] A large-scale census (in the years ending in the digit 0) and a simplified one (in those ending in 5) has been undertaken alternately. They collected information as of October 1.^[80] The Statistics Bureau is in charge of the exercise of censuses.^[78]

The questionnaires were frequently changed in the early history of the Population Census, but they were almost fixed by the 1970s.^[81]:148 Since then, they include 16–23 topics, with a small difference between the large-scale censuses and the simplified ones.^[82]:135 They solicit information such as name, gender, relationship to head of household, year and month of birth, marital status, nationality, number of the household members, type and tenure of dwelling, floor area of the dwelling, number of hours worked during the week prior to October 1, employment status, name of employer and type of business, kind of work, and the place of work or schooling.^[83] For the years ending in the digit 0, the questionnaire includes additional questions such as education, how long the respondent has lived at the current address, the place he/she lived five years ago, and the means of transportation to the workplace or school.^[84]

Regardless of nationality or legal status, all residents in Japan are required to complete the census. All information collected by the census is confidential and protected by the Statistics Act. Information provided by census can never be used for any investigation purposes such as immigration control, police investigation, tax collections and so on.^[85] After the census, all forms are destroyed.

For the first time in 2010, residents of Tokyo were given an option to complete the census questionnaires online in lieu of the conventional paper questionnaires. Unique ID and password were provided with the census form. Tokyo was chosen as the initial rollout for the online questionnaires due to the high concentration of people living in apartment buildings or gated communities, which restricts the access of census workers. The online options were made available across Japan from the 2015 census.

The 2020 census was conducted in midst of global COVID-19 pandemic and the Japanese government urged the residents to respond the census online. Those who are unable to respond online may complete and mail back the paper questionnaires.^[85] The online census questionnaires are available in Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Portuguese.^[85] The paper census form was only written in Japanese, but translation was available in 29 different languages upon request.^[86] Since 2020, administrative information can be used on limited basis, only to complete the number of persons from nonresponding households.^[87]

The first population census after Jordanian independence in 1946 was taken in 1952. It only counted the number of people in households, and could therefore be considered only to be a housing census. The first complete census was taken in 1961, with further censuses taken in 1979, 1994, 2004 and 2015. The distribution of Palestinians and Jordanians within the population has been a politically sensitive issue since the Six-Day war in 1967.

No census has been conducted in Lebanon since 1932.^[88] It indicated a population of 861,399 Lebanese.^[89] Various estimates of the population have been taken since; in 1956 it was estimated a population of 1,411,416, with 54% Christian and 44% Muslim. Conducting a census since then has been complicated by various conflicts in the 1970s and 1980s,^[90] as well as by the sensitivity of religious issues.^[88]

The census in Malaysia is carried out every 10 years, like many nations, since 1960 (with the exception of the fourth census, which was carried out in 1991). The next census should be carried out in 2030. The most recent census was from July 7 to October 24, 2020.

A general census of population and housing has been conducted in years 1973, 1983, 2014 and 2024 with the 2024 Census data considered unreliable with a provisional count of 51.3 million. A decrease from 51.5 Million, with prelimeneary census being published in December 2024.^[91]

Census in Nepal are taken by Central Bureau of Statistics. Population censuses are conducted every ten years in Nepal. The first was held in 1911 and the most recent was held in 2021. The census in 2021 is the first census of Federal Nepal.

Censuses have been taken in the Sultanate of Oman in 1993, 2003, 2010 and 2020.

The census of the Philippines is enumerated every 5 years (beginning in 1960, except in 2005 where it was moved to 2007 due to budgetary constraints) and the results are used to allocate Congressional seats (congressional apportionment) and government program funding.

The census is performed by the Philippine Statistics Authority. The first official census in the Philippines was carried out by the Spanish government pursuant to a royal decree calling for the counting of persons living as of the midnight of December 31, 1877. The first door-to-door census was conducted in 1903 to fulfill Public Act 467 which was approved by the U.S. Congress in July 1902. The last national census was held in 2020. For years between the censuses, the PSA issues estimates made using surveys and statistical models.

Philippine flag

Coat of arms of the Philippines

Population censuses have been taken in Saudi Arabia in 1962/63 (incomplete), 1974 (complete but not reliable), 1992, 2004, 2010 and 2022. An agriculture census was taken in 1999 and 2015.

Population censuses have been taken in Singapore every ten years, in 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020

South Korea had its first "modern" census in 1925.^[95]

The Census has been conducted 18 times every 5 years, most recently in 2020.

The census in Sri Lanka is carried out by the Department of Census and Statistics every 10 years, with the next one being planned for 2033.^[96] The 2011 one being the first post-war census in three decades. The census will cover all Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions of the country. The first scientific census in Sri Lanka was conducted on March 27, 1871. The last four were in 1963, 1971, 1981, 2001, 2012 and 2024 with a census estimate in 1989. The 2001 census was only carried out in 18 Districts due to the Sri Lankan Civil War.

Sri Lankan flag

Coat of arms of Sri Lanka

The first population census in Syria was taken by the French Mandatory Regime in 1921–22. This is however not considered reliable. Censuses during independence have been taken 1947, 1960 (the first comprehensive demographic investigation), 1970, 1976 (a sample census), 1981, 1994 and 2004 and the next would be taken at 2017.

The first census in Taiwan was conducted in 1905, while Taiwan was under Japanese rule.^[97]

A census is conducted every 10 years, the latest being in 2020. The National Statistical Office of Thailand is in charge of conducting the census.

The Turkish census is run by the Turkish Statistical Institute. The first census in Turkey was conducted in 1927. After 1935, it took place every 5 years until 1990. Now, the census takes place every 10 years. The last census was in 2000. It can be noted that the census enumeration takes place on one single day in Turkey (in other countries it takes 1–2 weeks). This required some 900,000 enumerators in 2000. The 15th census based on improved geographical information systems is planned for 2010.

A census was taken in the Ottoman Empire 1831–38 by Sultan Mahmud II (1808–1839) as a part of the reform movement Tanzimat. Christian and Jewish men were counted but the female population was excluded.

The last census in Uzbekistan was carried out in 1989 during Soviet rule. Uzbekistan itself will carry out their first post-Soviet census either in 2025 or 2026.^[98]

The latest population census was conducted in Albania on September 18, 2023.

The previous census was conducted in September 2011.^[99] Prior to that, censuses were conducted in April 2001 and in 1989 at the end of the Communist regime.

Albanian flag

Coat of arms of Albania

The Austrian census is run by Statistics Austria. It is carried out every ten years, the last one on October 31, 2011.

Austrian flag

Coat of arms of Austria

The Belgium census is run by Statistics Belgium. The first census was carried out in 1846. The last census was taken in 2011. This is the first registered based census.

Since 1968, the population number is permanently up to date through the National Register.

Belgian flag

Coat of arms of Belgium

Population censuses in Bosnia and Herzegovina were conducted in 1879, 1885, 1895, 1910, 1921, 1931, 1948, 1953, 1961, 1971, 1981 and 1991. The 2013 Census was organized in period between October 1–15, 2013. This is the first census after the end of the Bosnian War.

Bulgarian governors organized a national census soon after the liberation of the Bulgarian lands. In 1881 a census took place in the Principality, while in 1884 a census was organized in Eastern Rumelia. The first census covering the unified state took place in 1887.

Since these first accounts, Bulgarian authorities had organized several population censuses: 1892, 1900, 1905, 1910, 1920, 1926, 1934, 1946, 1956, 1965, 1975, 1985, 1992, 2001, and 2011.

The data provided in the Bulgarian censuses from 1888 until World War II is regarded as highly reliable according to the standards of the time. The Bulgarian leading statisticians of the period were generally educated in Western universities and participated vividly in the international cooperation, therefore insisted and succeeded in introducing the best practices of the time. The quality of the data provided of later censuses is a matter of debate. The religion question in the 2001 census didn't allow the unaffiliated Bulgarians to be counted as such.

Bulgarian flag

Coat of arms of Bulgaria

The census in Croatia is carried out every 10 years. The last census was taken in 2021 with final population count of 3.9 million.^[101] The first census was in 1857 when what is now Croatia was part of the Austrian Empire.

The census in the Czech Republic is carried out every 10 years by the Czech Statistical Office. The last census was taken in 2021. Earlier censuses were taken in 1869, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1921, 1930, 1950, 1961, 1970, 1980, 1991, 2001 and 2011.

The results of the last census are also available via the interactive model based software.

The first Danish census was in 1700–1701, and contained statistical information about adult men. Only about half of it still exists. A census of school children was taken during the 1730s.

Following these early undertakings, the first census to attempt completely covering all citizens (including women and children who had previously been listed only as numbers) of Denmark-Norway was taken in 1769.^[102] At that point there were 797,584 citizens in the kingdom. Georg Christian Oeder took a statistical census in 1771 which covered Copenhagen, Sjælland, Møn, and Bornholm.

After that, censuses followed somewhat regularly in 1787, 1801, and 1834, and between 1840 and 1860, the censuses were taken every five years, and then every ten years until 1890. Special censuses for Copenhagen were taken in 1885 and 1895.

In the 20th century, censuses were taken every five years from 1901 to 1921, and then every ten years from 1930. The last traditional census was taken in 1970.

A limited population census based on registers was taken in 1976. From 1981 and each year onwards information that corresponds to a population and housing census is retrieved from registers. Denmark was the first country in the world to conduct these censuses from administrative registers. The most important registers are the Population Register (Det Centrale Personregister), the Building and Dwelling Register (Bygnings- og Boligregistret) and the Enterprise Register (Det Centrale Virksomhedsregister). The central statistical office, Statistics Denmark is responsible for compiling these data. This information is available online in the Statbank Denmark.^[103]

It is possible to search a portion of the Danish censuses online at the Dansk Demografisk Database,^[104] and also view scanned versions at Arkivalier Online.^[105]

Population censuses have been carried out in 1881,^[106] 1897,^[106] 1922,^[106] 1934,^[106] 1959,^[107] 1970,^[107] 1979,^[107] 1989,^[107] 2000^[108] and 2011.^[109][110]

The censuses of 1881 and 1897 were carried out during the reign of the Russian Empire, when Estonia was divided between the Governorate of Estonia and the Governorate of Livonia. The latter also included territories of modern-day Latvia, however its Estonian-populated counties of Võru, Tartu, Viljandi, Pärnu and Saaremaa roughly corresponded to the later borders of the Republic of Estonia. Only later Estonian territories of Valga, Narva, Jaanilinn and Petseri County remained outside these figures.

The 1922 and 1934 censuses were carried out by the independent Republic of Estonia. The 1959, 1979 and 1989 censuses were carried out by the Estonian SSR of the Soviet Union and excluded Jaanilinn and Petseri County, which were annexed by the Russian SFSR in 1945. The 2000 and 2011 censuses were again carried out by the independent Republic of Estonia and also excluded the territories annexed by Russia in 1945. The current responsible institution is the Statistics Estonia.^[111]

The first population census was taken in 1749 when Finland was a part of Sweden. Although the parliament authorized a modern census in 1938, it was not undertaken until 1950. Finland has an accurate population registry system, thus censuses are in practice conducted by studying the registry, rather than as a separate project. Statistics Finland publishes various statistics on population: preliminary population statistics are published monthly, population structure report is published annually and population projections every three years. Once in ten years, the official locations and demarcations for densely populated areas (taajama) for traffic purposes, and official numbers of the speakers of national languages (Finnish or Swedish), for bilinguality, are reviewed.

The census in France is currently carried out by INSEE. The first census in France was conducted in 1801.^[112] Since 2004, a partial census has been carried out every year, and the results published as averages over 5 years.

The first systematic population on the European continent was taken in 1719 in Prussia (roughly corresponding to today's northern Germany and western Poland).

The first large-scale census in the German Empire took place in 1895. Attempts at introducing a census in West Germany sparked strong popular resentment in the 1980s since many quite personal questions were asked. Some campaigned for a boycott. In the end the Constitutional Court stopped the census in 1980 and 1983. The last census of West Germany was in 1987. Germany has since used population samples in combination with statistical methods, in place of a full census. But finally, on May 9, 2011, a new census of Germany was completed.

Census takes place every 10 years and is carried out by the National Statistical Service of Greece.^[113] The 2011 census ended on 24 May.^[114]

Official decennial censuses have been taken in Hungary since 1870; the latest one – in line with the recommendations of the United Nations and the Statistical Office of the European Union – was carried out in 2011. Starting from 1880 the Hungarian census system was based on native language (the language spoken at home in the early life of the person and at the time of the survey), vulgar language (the most frequently used language in the family), and other spoken languages.

The first Icelandic census took place in 1703, following upon the first Danish census of 1700–1701. Further censuses were carried out in 1801, 1845 and 1865. The 1703 exercise was the first census ever to cover all inhabitants of an entire country, mentioning the name, age, and social position of each individual. All of the information still exists, although some of the original documents have been lost.

The need for censuses was eliminated through the setting up, in 1952, of the National Registry (Þjóðskrá), which later merged with other entities to form Registers Iceland. All those born in Iceland, and all new residents, are automatically registered. Individuals are identified in the registry by means of a national identification number (the so-called kennitala), a number composed of the date of birth in the format ddmmyy and four additional digits, the third of which is a control digit, and the last of which indicates the century in which the person was born (9 for the 1900s and 0 for the 2000s).

The National Registry doubles as an electoral register. Likewise, all bank accounts are linked to the national identification of the owner (companies and institutions all have their own identification numbers).

Population censuses covering all of Ireland were conducted every ten years from 1821 to 1911 inclusive. The first census following independence was conducted in 1926 and done every ten years until 1946. Since then, most censuses have been conducted every five years from 1951 to 2011 with two exceptions. Instead of censuses in 1976 and 2001, they were instead conducted in 1979 and 2002 respectively. The next census is scheduled for 2022, having been postponed from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[115] All original census returns from 1901 onwards survive, together with some 19th century fragments.^[116]

The census in Ireland is carried out by the Central Statistics Office.^[117] The census is taken every five years, with more detailed information collected in years ending in 1 and less in the years ending in 6. The 1976 census was cancelled as a cost-saving measure, but a supplementary census was held in 1979 after it became apparent that the 1970s had seen major demographic changes.^[118] The census scheduled for 2001 was postponed until 2002 due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.^[119]

Data from the 1901 Census of Ireland and the 1911 census of Ireland were first made publicly available in 1961.^[120][121] Subsequent census records will be made available 100 years after collection.^[120] The 1901 and 1911 census returns, together with the 19th century fragments, are freely available to view at the National Archives of Ireland website.^[122]

The census in Italy is carried out by ISTAT every 10 years. The last five were in 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011. From 2018, the census will be done every year, using a sample of population to correct databases that ISTAT create from registry offices and other public offices.

Italian flag

Emblem of Italy

Kosovo declared independence on 17 February 2008. Then, the Kosovo Agency of Statistics organized the first census of the new country in 2011.^[123]

The most recent census was done in April and May 2024.^[124]

The most recent census in Latvia was in 2011. Before that, most censuses were conducted under Soviet control. The census is carried out by the Centrālā Statistikas Pārvalde (Central Statistical Bureau).

The first census in the Netherlands was conducted in 1795, and the last in 1971. A law was produced on April 22, 1879, ordering a census to be conducted every ten years.

The census that was planned for 1981 was postponed and later cancelled. A call for privacy was responsible for the cancellation of any further census since 1991. Censuses are being conducted by the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek since 1899. The censuses today are mostly (population, fiscal) register based, combined with surveying.

The independence of the Republic of North Macedonia followed the breakup of former Yugoslavia in 1991. The first population and housing census was conducted in the summer of 1994. The second census was conducted in the autumn of 2002. Both censuses were observed by international experts due to the sensitive issue regarding the ethnic distribution. The next census operation started in 2011 but it was aborted with the census declared unsuccessful. Following delay, a census was conducted in September 2021, which also included the diaspora.

The two first male censuses was conducted during the 1660s and 1701.^[125] Later statistical censuses were held in 1769, 1815, 1835, 1845, and 1855. Norway's first nominative, complete census was taken in 1801, when Norway still was ruled by the Oldenburg dynasty of Denmark-Norway. The scope of the census followed the de jure principle, so military persons should be included as well as foreigners if they were residents. The 1801, 1865, 1900 and 1910 censuses are transcribed and made searchable on the internet.^[126] The census records are made publicly available when 100 years have passed. Since 1900, a census has been conducted every ten years. (However, the 1940 census was postponed to 1946, and the census after 1990 came in 2001.) Since 2001 the population census has been combined with the housing statistics.^[127] The 2001 questionnaire only asked about households and who was living in them, while no questionnaires will be mailed out for the 2011 census, since the administrative data on households is sufficient.^[128]

The census in Poland is carried out by GUS approximately every 10 years. The 2002 census was conducted between 21 May and June 8. Poland's most recent census was held in 2011.^[129] The next census is scheduled for 2021.^[130]

The first systematic census in Portugal was carried out on January 1, 1864.^[131] The census in Portugal is carried out by Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE) every 10 years. The last census was taken on March 21, 2011.

The first census in Romania was carried out in 1859. It is now carried out every ten years by the Institutul Naţional de Statistică (INSSE). The last census was in 2011.^[132]

Romanian flag

Coat of arms of Romania

In Russia, the first census of the tax-payers was made in 1722–1723 by the order of Peter the Great (only men were counted), and was ordered to be repeated every twenty years. The only complete Russian Empire Census was carried out in 1897. All-Union Population Censuses were carried out in the USSR (which included RSFSR and the other republics) in 1920 (urban only), 1926, 1937, 1939, 1959, 1970, 1979, and 1989. The first post-Soviet Russian Census was carried out in 2002, followed by the 2010 Census. Currently, the census is the responsibility of the Federal State Statistics Service.

Parish priests in San Marino maintained 'libri d'anime' or 'books of souls' as a population register between 1634 and 1860. The first general population census was conducted in 1865. Further censuses were held in 1874, 1899, 1947, and 1976.^[133][134] The Ufficio Informatica, Tecnologia, Dati e Statistica conducted the sixth population census on 7 November 2010.^[135]

The census ordinarily takes place every 10 years. The last census was in 2011, the previous one was in 2002 (although having been planned for 2001) and the next is planned for 2021. The censuses before were organized in 1991, 1981, 1971, 1961, 1953 and 1948, during Communist Yugoslavia. During the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, censuses were conducted in 1931 and 1921; the census in 1941 was never conducted due to the outbreak of WWII.

The autonomous Principality of Serbia, had conducted the first population census in 1834; the subsequent censuses were conducted in 1841, 1843, 1846, 1850, 1854, 1859, 1863 and 1866 and 1874. During the era of the independent Kingdom of Serbia, six censuses were conducted starting in 1884 and the last one being in 1910. And then the frequent wars had prevented organizing any census prior to the Yugoslav one in 1921.

For the portions of Serbia ruled by Austria-Hungary until 1918, there were a total of five Austro-Hungarian censuses—1910, 1900, 1890, 1880 and 1869, immediately after the Dual Monarchy's constitution.

First modern census in the area of today's Slovakia was taken in 1869.^[136] Today, the census is conducted every 10 years by the Statistical Office of Slovak Republic. Last census was in May 2021.

The first census of modern Slovenia was carried in 1991, after independence had been declared. The Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia conducted the second census in 2002. Further censuses were carried out in 2011 and then every 10 years.^[137]

The census in Spain is carried out by INE every 10 years. Although there has been an old tradition and like for making census in Spain, the oldest ones dating back to the 12th century (by Alfonso VII of the Kingdom of Castile), the first modern census was carried out in 1768 by Conde de aranda, under the reign of Carlos III. The last five were in 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001, and 2011.

The first population census in Sweden was carried out in 1749. The last population and housing census was carried out in 1990. It is planned to conduct population and housing censuses based on registers in the future.

In Switzerland, the Federal Population Census (German: Eidgenössische Volkszählung, French: Recensement fédéral de la population, Italian: Censimento federale della popolazione, Romansh: Dumbraziun federala dal pievel) has been carried out every 10 years starting in 1850. The census was initiated by Federal CouncillorStefano Franscini, who evaluated the data of the first census all by himself after Parliament failed to provide the necessary funds.^[138] The census is now being conducted by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office.

Data collected include population data (citizenship, place of residence, place of birth, position in household, number of children, religion, languages, education, profession, place of work, etc.), household data (number of individuals living in the household, etc.), accommodation data (surface area, amount of rent paid, etc.) and building data (geocoordinates, time of construction, number of floors, etc.). Participation is compulsory and reached 99.87% of the population in 2000.^[139]

Since 2010, the population census has been carried out and analysed annually in a new format by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). To ease the burden on the population, the information is primarily drawn from population registers and supplemented by sample surveys. Only a small proportion of the population (about 5%) is surveyed in writing or by telephone. The first reference day for the new census was December 31, 2010.

The first post-Soviet Ukrainian Census was carried out by State Statistics Committee of Ukraine in 2001, 12 years after the last All-Union census in 1989.^[140]

In the seventh century, Dál Riata was the first territory in what is now the UK to conduct a census. The Domesday Book of 1086 in England contained listings of households but its coverage was not complete and its intent was not the same as modern censuses.

Following the influence of Malthus and concerns stemming from his An Essay on the Principle of Population the UK census as we know it today started in 1801. The census has been conducted every ten years since 1801.

The first four censuses (1801–1831) were mainly headcounts and contained little personal information. The 1841 Census, conducted by the General Register Office, was the first to record the names of everyone in a household or institution. From 1851 onwards the census shows the stated age and relationship to the head of household for each individual. Because of World War II, there was no census in 1941. The actual census dates were 6 June 1841, 30 March 1851, 7 April 1861, 2 April 1871, 3 April 1881, 5 April 1891, 31 March 1901, 27 March 1911.

The census of England & Wales is undertaken for the government by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) conducts its own census, while the census in Northern Ireland is carried out by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). Public access to the census returns is restricted under the terms of the 100-year rule. The most recent returns made available to researchers are those of the 1921 census.

The most recent UK census took place in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 21 March 2021.^[141] Because of the COVID-19 pandemic the census in Scotland was delayed to 20 March 2022.^[142][143] It was revealed that the 2021 UK Census could be the last census conducted, as Prof Sir Ian Diamond said in early 2020 that he is "hopeful" other, newer data sources could replace the British census, adding "better and more granular" sources in a "cheaper" and "more timely" way could replace the 2021 census.^[144][145] A 2018 UK Government white paper said its "ambition" is for "other sources of data" to be used following the 2021 census.

The Australian census is operated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It is currently conducted every five years, the last occurrence being on August 10, 2021. Past Australian censuses were conducted in 1911, 1921, 1933, 1947, 1954, and every five years since 1961. In 2016, for the first time, Australians were able to complete their census online.^[6]

The census in New Zealand is carried out by Statistics New Zealand(Tatauranga Aotearoa), usually every five years. The 1951 census was the first year in which Māori and European New Zealanders were treated equally, with European New Zealanders having had a different census form in previous years and separate censuses in the 19th century. Results for those censuses before 1966 have been destroyed with a few exceptions and those since will not be available before 2066.

For the 2001, 2006 and 2013 Censuses of New Zealand, respondents could choose to complete their census questionnaire online. The census was scheduled on 8 March 2011. However, it was cancelled due to the September 2010 and February 2011 Canterbury earthquake.^[146] The 1931 census was also cancelled due to the effects of the Great Depression, and was the 1941 census due to the Second World War.

A census was instead held on 5 March 2013. For the 2018 census, online participation was prioritised, with paper forms available upon request.

The most recent census was conducted on 7 March 2023.