What it is and what it was used for
The 2020 Test was the last experimental operation of the 2021 Census and its main goal was to test the collection processes that will support the census operation, ensuring that everything will be fully operational for 2021.
Considering the current epidemiological situation in the country, the 2020 Test took place under the rules of the Contingency Plan prepared for the 2021 Census, which includes, among other measures:
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- The observation of a Public Health Protocol in the context of the epidemiological situation;
- A strategy that reinforces the option of gathering information through the Internet and supporting the population with a telephone line;
- The strengthening of mechanisms for monitoring fieldwork and validating information collected in a pandemic crisis context.
Onde decorreu
Statistics Portugal conducted the 2020 Test in November 2020, with the collaboration of the Municipalities and Parish Councils involved.
The 2020 Test took place simultaneously in the different regions of the country, in one parish of the 7 selected municipalities and covered approximately 24 thousand people and 14 thousand dwellings.
About the Census
What are they and what are they for? Find out more about the Census operation.
Legislation Confidentiality
Get acquainted with the national and international legislation about the Census.
2011 Census
Get to know all about the population, households, and housing portraited by the last Census conducted in Portugal.
Communication
In addition to the information available on this website, Statistics Portugal developed a local communication campaign to support the population in responding to the 2020 Test.
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Final Evaluation: Main Findings
From the overall evaluation of the 2020 Census Test, the following conclusions stood out:
- Despite the epidemiological situation of the country, the population was receptive to participate in the 2020 Test operation and recognized the importance of conducting the 2021 Census.
- The results of the test confirm the Internet as the main response channel to the Census. Although, due to the shortened collection period, it was not possible to obtain an exact indicator of the response rate through the internet, the values achieved allow us to project internet response rates between 62 and 88%.
- The information contained in the distributed letter was considered sufficient for the population to answer the Census without the need to resort to the help of the census interviewers or the help line.
- The application development for the 2021 Census proved to be adequate, with the technical and functional options for the application system consolidated and aspects to be improved identified.
- The web-based response application was considered easy to use by most respondents, with only a very small number suggesting additional features or help icons on further questions.
- The use of mobile devices belonging to the census enumerators to carry out the fieldwork (according to the Bring Your Own Device concept) poses additional challenges in terms of application installation and technical assistance.
- The Public Health Protocol applied in the conduct of the 2020 Test proved to be effective. All occurrences related to the COVID-19 pandemic were solved according to the rules issued by the health authorities.
- It was assumed that the current epidemiological situation in the country is demanding from the point of view of the permanence of human resources, namely census enumerators, so it will be necessary to make provision for this contingency in recruitment.
Becoming familiar with Statistics Portugal’s website
Access the data and findings of the previous Census and keep informed about the most recent studies on, for example, employment, migrations, the national GDP, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
2011 Census
Get to know all about the population, households, and housing portraited by the last Census conducted in Portugal.
