Main objectives
With this Test, Statistics Portugal intended to assess the introduction of important innovations in the census model in Portugal.
The information requirements of today’s society and technologies challenges and potentialities which require and enable innovative approaches, which are needed to be assessed.
For each census operation, Statistics Portugal innovates, prepares, and tests in good time, with a view to increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of operations and finding the best solutions that should provide convenience and ease of response to all citizens.
In the last Census, the collaboration of the population allowed Portugal to be among the countries with the highest response rate through the Internet. The challenge of modernization will continue and innovation will mark the next Censuses 2021. The aim is a more digital Census, more convenient for citizens and more effective in the management of public resources. Now is the time to prepare for the future.
The 2016 Test had the following objectives:
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- To assess the impact of changing the traditional census model of door-to-door distribution of questionnaires by sending a letter to households by post, containing the codes for replying via the Internet;
- To assess the use of the Internet as the preferred channel to respond to the Census;
- Evaluate the use of mobile platforms in the field;
- To assess the contribution of administrative information to the design of the new census model.
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.
Where it took place
The Survey was conducted in the following parishes:
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- Alvor
- Cidade da Maia
- Praia de Mira
- União das Freguesias de Condeixa-a-Velha e Condeixa-a-Nova
- União das Freguesias de Glória e Vera Cruz
This survey was addressed to the population living in the indicated parishes (approximately 80,000 people, residing in 45,000 dwellings).
Communication
Besides the information available on this website, Statistics Portugal has developed a local communication campaign to support the population in responding to the 2016 Test.
Access the media here:
Final Evaluation: Main Findings
From the overall evaluation of the 2016 Census Test, the main conclusions that stood out were:
- The methodology designed for the new survey model is appropriate
- In this test, 85.5% of the usual dwellings responded via the Internet, which is why it is recommended that the Internet should be the first response channel for the 2021 Census and that the response interfaces should also allow the use of smartphones.
- Given the results obtained, it is expected that in future census operations paper questionnaires will no longer be distributed in most households.
- The model will allow for a significant reduction in the sizing of field teams.
- The design of the new collection model confirms the potential for using mobile devices to conduct fieldwork, in a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) perspective.
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.
