Main goals
The preparation of the 2021 Census includes a set of experimental operations that include three test surveys, conducted in 2016 and 2018, and one to be conducted in 2020.
The 2018 Test had the following objectives:
- The 2018 Test had the following objectives: The process of distributing questionnaires door-to-door will be replaced by sending a letter with the necessary information so that the population can respond via the Internet.
- Testing the design of the web questionnaires on different platforms and responsive layout: New questions will be asked, and the wording of others will be readjusted. The design of the web questionnaires will be tested for different platforms: PC, tablet, and smartphone.
- Testing telephone response: The possibility of telephone response to the 2021 Census will be tested for the first time, as a complement to internet response.
- Testing the use of mobile devices in conducting fieldwork: the Census interviewers will use mobile devices, tablets and smartphones, to conduct fieldwork.
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 took place in the following parishes:
- Algueirão – Mem Martins (Sintra)
- Angra – Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Angra do Heroísmo)
- Ceira (Coimbra)
- Matriz (Borba)
- Santa Bárbara de Nexe (Faro)
- Sé (Funchal)
- União das Freguesias de S.Mamede de Infesta e Senhora da Hora (Matosinhos)
The survey targeted the population living in the indicated parishes (approximately 35,000 people living in 19,000 dwellings).
Communication
In addition to the information available on this website, Statistics Portugal has developed a local communication campaign to support the population in responding to the 2018 Test.
Access the media here:
Final Evaluation: Main Findings
From the overall evaluation of the 2018 Census Test, the main conclusions that stood out were:
- The internet was the main channel of response to this test: around 88% of the population covered used it to respond.
- 95% of the information was collected electronically
- Communication actions are fundamental to the dissemination and motivation of the population to respond.
- The implementation and use of the “eCensos” counters in the Parish Councils is an important mechanism to support the population’s responses.
- The 2018 Test made it possible to define the sizing of the working areas of the Census interviewers and the timing of the definitive operation more accurately.
- The electronic design of the questionnaires proved to be very compatible with the different types of devices used to collect the information.
- The technical and functional options relating to the application system used provided results that guarantee its use in the 2021 Censuses.
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.
