What is
the Census?
The Census is a
once-in-a-decade official measure of the number and characteristics of
people living in Malta and Gozo on Census Night. The Census also counts
private
dwellings. The questionnaires should be filled in by a mature person
within the household. Parents will need to fill in the details for each
of their children, including newborn babies. Questions are on a range of
subjects, including age, sex, education, employment and household
facilities.
When will it be held?
The focal point of the next Census of Population and Housing is Sunday, 27 November 2005. The night of this particular Sunday is usually called “Census Night”.
An enumerator from the National Statistics Office will visit your home between 21 November and 11 December 2005 as follows:
| |
Mon-Fri |
4.00pm - 8.00pm |
| |
Saturday |
9.00am - 1.00pm |
| |
|
4.00pm - 8.00pm |
| |
Sunday |
9.00am - 1.00pm |
What is its scale?
- Comprehensive coverage of persons living in Malta and Gozo
- Some 130,000 households in Malta and Gozo involved
- An allocated budget of Lm0.5 million
- Forms available in English and Maltese
- An additional workforce of some 1,000 recruited
- 70 local area networks organised
- Processing of returned questionnaires is expected to be completed between January and September 2006
Which direction will it take?
Census forms are sent to your home several days before Census Day.
This enables you to understand the questions at your leisure. Your
enumerator will call to collect the filled forms and to help with any
difficulties. He/she will have attached a National Statistics Office
identity card with a photograph on it.
Why is Census held?
Census information is used by a large variety of users - policy makers,
town planners, local council authorities, service providers and
businesses.
Why should you answer the Census?
- Answering the Census is important for your family and your
locality.
The Census provides numbers that are vital for the planning of schools,
libraries, nurseries, homes for the elderly and day centres, playgrounds,
health clinics, new roads and bus routes. So, by participating you
are helping yourself, your children and the elderly members of your family
to have a safer life and better care.
Answering the Census ensures efficient delivery of good and services.
Business use census information to locate new shopping outlets, new housing units, offices and service
outlets such as hair and beauty salons and restaurants.
The confidentiality of your personal information is guaranteed.
Enumerators ask to see your I.D. Card only to assist the administrative process. The census officer gives primary importance
to the collection and processing of census information under secure conditions. The confidentiality clause in the Census Act
provides legal protection by making the disclosure of personal census information a criminal offence.
What's new for Census 2005?
The Census information needs have been divided between two forms. Most households in the country (four out of five) will receive
the short-form questionnaire. About one in five households will receive the long form.
What should you have at hand?
- ID cards of those members of the family entitled to these
- Birth certificates of the younger children (if available)
Note on participation
Your participation in the Census is mandatory.
We're here to help you
Please do ask the enumerator who collects the forms from your home for help with the questionnaire.
Alternatively, you can send an e-mail to:
