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What is Census of Population?
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Why Census?
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How is Census conducted?
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Who is required to take part in the Census?
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What are the types of Census information that are collected?
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Why are Census information collected?
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How reliable, accurate and comprehensive will the results of the Census be?
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How are households selected?
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Where is the latest Census data published?
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Who is responsible for the management of the Census?
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Is the department able to obtain the required information for Census from government agencies?
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How does DOS keep the individual data collected from Census confidential?
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What actions can be taken if a person refuses to participate or cooperate?
1. What is Census of Population?
Many countries conduct Population Censuses to provide basic statistical profile of their population. In Singapore, the Census of Population is conducted once in ten years. It is the single largest household survey undertaken in Singapore, collecting information on key characteristics of the population and households.
Singapore’s latest Census was taken in 2020. It was the sixth census carried out since Independence and the fifteenth in the series of census-taking in Singapore.
2. Why Census?
The Census collects comprehensive snapshot of the population’s characteristics once every ten years. The compiled data will be used by Government Ministries, Departments and public sector agencies as inputs for policy planning and formulation. It will also be used by researchers, academia and the general public.
3. How is Census conducted?
Basic population count and characteristics such as age, sex and ethnic group are compiled from administrative sources. For detailed information not available from administrative sources, the Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS) surveys a representative sample of households to collect the information.
For the Census 2020, respondents were able to submit their Census returns through Internet, telephone interviews or face-to-face interviews. Detailed Census 2020 releases can be found here.
4. Who is required to take part in the Census?
The register-based approach is adopted whereby basic characteristics of the population is obtained from administrative sources. These include basic demographic information such as age, sex, ethnicity. A sample of households is then surveyed to provide detailed information. All persons residing in the selected addresses, including Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and non-residents comprising foreigners who are working, studying or living in Singapore, are required to take part. The transient population, such as tourists and short-term visitors, are excluded.
5. What are the types of Census information that are collected?
The types of information collected include socio-economic characteristics as well as some topics of current interest. Together, the Census information covers topics on demography, household composition and relationships, occupation, industry, education, transport, religion, difficulty in performing basic activities, characteristics of Singaporeans overseas etc.
For the detailed list of data items covered in the latest Census 2020 and how they were expected to be used, please refer to Census 2020 Data Topics and Uses.
6. Why are Census information collected?
The Census is conducted once in ten years and is the single largest national survey undertaken in Singapore. Information on key characteristics of the population and households are collected and used for planning and evaluation of programmes and services. This is in line with the UN’s recommendation and international best practices for countries to conduct the national censuses at least once in every 10 years, in or close to years ending with “0”, to allow for better international comparability of census data.
For the detailed list of data items covered in the latest Census 2020 and how they were expected to be used, please refer to Census 2020 Data Topics and Uses.
7. How reliable, accurate and comprehensive will the results of the Census be?
With the wide coverage of the Census, the information gathered are reliable and comprehensive. The accuracy of the information will depend on the responses provided by the respondents during the interview or via the Internet. The full co-operation of the respondents is therefore critical to the success of this national project.
8. How are households selected?
The sample for the Census of Population is selected from a sampling frame comprising all residential dwelling units in Singapore.
The sample design and selection process are based on an established sampling methodology to ensure an accurate representation of the population.
For Census 2020, the sample was selected based on a stratified design. Dwelling units in the sampling frame were divided into different groups (or strata) using information such as broad dwelling type and geographical area. A random sample was then selected from each group and combined to form the required sample of some 150,000 dwelling units.
As this is a sample survey, while a particular household may be selected to participate in the Census, the neighbouring household(s) may not be selected.
9. Where is the latest Census data published?
Detailed Census 2020 releases can be found here.
10. Who is responsible for the management of the Census?
The Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS), Ministry of Trade and Industry, is responsible for the management and operations of the latest Census 2020.
11. Is the department able to obtain the required information for Census from government agencies?
Our Department has used administrative data from government departments where available to update our statistical database and supplement data collected in our survey. These include basic demographic information such as age, sex, ethnicity. However, not all data required are available from other government agencies.
The information not available from other government agencies are collected from households during Census.
12. How does DOS keep the individual data collected from Census confidential?
All our Department’s officers handling the individual survey information are required to sign the undertakings under the Statistics Act 1973 as well as the Official Secrets Act. They are fully aware of the provisions and the need to safeguard such information. The information collected will be used solely for statistical purposes.
The latest Census 2020 is conducted under the provisions of the Statistics Act 1973. Responses provided kept in confidence in accordance with the Statistics Act.
13. What actions can be taken if a person refuses to participate or cooperate?
The Census is a compulsory survey conducted under the Statistics Act 1973. Any person who refuses to answer, or knowingly provides false information, or hinders the performance of a Census officer, shall be guilty of an offence. The penalties stated in the Statistics Act 1973 include a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $100 for every day during which the offence continues after conviction.