Data Collection

The Census of Population and Housing 2021 will cover all persons of all ages and genders who will have their usual residence in Cyprus on October 1st, 2021. Persons with usual residence in Cyprus are persons who have resided in Cyprus for a year or more or who intend to stay for a year or more.

The collection of data during the Census will be carried out through personal interviews by about 1.000 specially trained enumerators, using tablets. All enumerators will wear a special yellow vest with the Census logo, will also carry a black bag with the logo and a badge with the special ID of the Service, which will certify the authorization given to them under the legislation to collect information.

Although the usual way of conducting the Census in Cyprus is through personal interviews in households, in this Census, due to the health situation brought to the country by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, it is also possible to conduct the interview by telephone or alternatively respondents may complete a paper questionnaire themselves. The paper questionnaire will be delivered by the enumerator. After the households fill in the questionnaire, they will be able to return it to the enumerator when he visits them again, at an agreed day and time.

During the data collection, the enumerator will not enter the housing units. The interviews will take place at an area outside the house, such as the doorstep or the veranda. Additionally, all appropriate measures against the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 will be followed. All activities will be carried out in accordance with the decrees and instructions issued by the Government, as well as with the protocol specifically prepared by the Ministry of Health for the Census of Population. The safety of the citizens and of our staff is our main concern. It is important for each of us to be enumerated safely.

Regardless of the method of conducting the Census, the data will then be recorded by the enumerators in electronic questionnaires on tablets. The information system that will be used during the Census namely Cyprus Blaise Integrated Census System 2021 (CY-BICS 2021) has been developed by the Statistical Service of Cyprus in collaboration with Statistics Netherlands.