FAQs


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1. Who does the Census address to? Who should take part in the Census?
People who live in Cyprus for one year or more, or who have recently arrived in Cyprus and intend to stay for one year or more.

The following population groups should be enumerated, among others:
  • Foreign residents who reside or have the intention to reside in Cyprus for one year or more.
  • Foreign students who reside or have the intention to reside in Cyprus for one year or more.
  • Housemaids who reside or have the intention to reside in Cyprus for one year or more.


    • The following groups of people should not participate:
  • Foreign military, naval and diplomatic personnel and their families located in the country, regardless of the duration of their stay (e.g. military personnel of the British Bases, the Greek Force in Cyprus (EL.DY.K) and the United Nations).
  • Household members (excluding the spouse) who reside or intend to reside abroad (not as students) for a period of more than one year.
  • Children (infants) born after October 1st, 2021.
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    2. What kind of information is requested for the Census?
    The questions asked in the Census mainly collect demographic and socio-economic information such as the age of respondents, sex, educational level, main occupation, citizenship, language, marital status and relationships between the members of the household. Additionally, information is also collected on dwellings, such as the type of housing unit, the type of building, housing unit amenities (heating, access to the internet etc).


    3. What are the benefits for participating in the Census?
    Participation in the Census constitutes a benefit for the entire population. The inclusion of all permanent residents of Cyprus in the Census will contribute to better informed decisions at a social and financial level. The data are used in the design of health services, in the construction of schools, in the construction of roads, in the development of rural areas, in the demographic policy of the Government etc.


    4. Is it necessary to participate and give information for the Census?
    According to the Official Statistics Law of 2021 (Law No. 25(Ι)/2021), articipation in the Census is mandatory. All respondents are obliged to provide accurate data to the persons authorized by the Statistical Service to collect information.


    5. What happens if I am not at home the day that the enumerator will visit me?
    If, despite repeated efforts, the enumerators cannot locate any of the residents in a house, they will leave an informative letter at the house, together with their telephone number, in order for the residents to call and arrange an interview date.


    6. Can someone else give information about me?
    For the completion of the questionnaire, the enumerators would prefer to get information from the person who is recognized by the other household members as the reference person and who will provide information for all members. For example, if the household consists of parents and their children, the reference person is usually the father. In the absence of the reference person, the enumerators will obtain the information from the spouse or another adult household member who is able to know the requested information for all members. If for some questions, the respondent is unable to provide answers immediately, then the enumerators will revisit the household or make a callback, in order to get the information required.


    7. I live / work abroad. Is the Census mandatory for me?
    All permanent residents in the country (Cypriots or foreigners), who work temporarily for a period of less than 12 months abroad, should participate in the Census.


    8. Why is the Census not conducted anonymously? Why do I have to give my name and ID number?
    It is necessary to give your name so that each member of the household can be properly referred to by the persons providing the data to the enumerators. In addition, by providing the names of the household members it will be possible to have better control in terms of coverage of each household as well as to avoid double counting.

    In the Census of 2021, the Identity Card Number (or the Aliens Registration Number (ARC) or Identity Card or passport number of another country) is requested for the first time. The reason for this, is that the Statistical Service aims to create a Dynamic Population Register, which will be based on the data collected from the Population Census of 2021 and which will be continuously updated with information from various administrative registers. From 2024 onwards, much of the data traditionally collected every 10 years in population censuses will be compiled on an annual basis by all EU Member States and submitted to Eurostat. The creation of this Dynamic Population Register will eliminate the high cost of conducting population censuses, citizens will no longer be burdened with the response obligation and the continuously updated data can be used for policy-making purposes on an annual basis.

    According to the Official Statistics Law of 2021 (Law No. 25(Ι)/2021), the Statistical Service is obliged to keep the collected data as confidential, even after the publication of the results. All data collected during the Population Census as well as through various administrative sources at a later stage, will be made public in an aggregated form, without directly or indirectly disclosing the personal data of the individuals who provided the data or the statistical units to which they refer.


    9. How is the confidentiality of my data ensured? Can they get passed on to a third party?
    According to the Official Statistics Law of 2021 (Law No. 25(Ι)/2021), the Statistical Service is obliged to ensure the statistical confidentiality of the data collected. Therefore, all data collected will be kept confidential and will be used solely for statistical purposes (presentation of aggregated results). No one will be aware of the personal details of the respondents and it is forbidden to pass them on to other government authorities or individuals.

    DATA PROTECTION


    10. Who has access to my data and how much do they know about me?
    Only a limited number of staff of the Statistical Service, who has taken an oath that they shall not disclose information which comes to their knowledge during the performance of their tasks, can see your personal information once you submit it. Your data will not be used in its raw form.

    Publication of the data will be in aggregated form, so you cannot be identified. Census tables do not reveal information about individuals but only about the population by geographical areas or other demographic groups.


    11. How can I verify that the person who visited me is an authorized employee of the Statistical Service?
    The enumerators can be easily identified as they will carry a badge with a special ID of the Statistical Service with which they will be authorized to request information. They will also carry their official identity card. In case they are asked to do so, they will present the identity card to the respondents. You may also contact the district offices of the Statistical Service for confirmation.

    Moreover, all enumerators will wear a special yellow vest with the Census logo and will also carry a black bag with the logo.


    12. I have already participated in the Census of 2021, why am I being visited/ contacted again?
    Thank you for your participation. The Statistical Service staff may follow up with you in-person or by telephone in case more clarifications are necessary about your household. Brief phone calls are also occasionally made for quality assurance purposes.


    13. What measures have been taken during the Census for protection against the pandemic?
    The Census data collection procedures have been adjusted to account for the Covid-19 pandemic conditions. In addition to the personal interviews taking place at an area outside of your house, it is also possible for the interview to be conducted by telephone, or alternatively to complete a paper questionnaire yourself and return it to the enumerator. Census enumerators will comply with all indicated measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 (for example the use of the SafePass, physical distancing, protective masks and disinfectants) and will follow the protocol specifically prepared by the Ministry of Health for the Census of Population).

    ADJUSTMENT TO COVID-19


    14. When will the results of the Population Census be available and in what format?
    The first results are expected to be announced in January 2022 and will contain aggregated data. Tables with detailed results will be disseminated in electronic form during the second semester of 2022, while some more detailed tables will be compiled in 2023.


    (Last update: 24/09/2021)

    Contact Details
    Michael Karaolis Str.
    CY-1444, Lefkosia, Cyprus
    T: +357 22 602129
    F: +357 22 661313
    E: enquiries@cystat.mof.gov.cy
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