Census: Counting People

Film info

Film summary

Every 10 years, governments try to measure population changes using a census, or questionnaire. But what does this show? And why do we need to know?

Key facts

• Governments keep track of the population – globally and locally – by taking censuses.
• A census is data compiled via a survey of households, territories, or a sample of the population, with exactly the same questions.
• Census information compiled every 10 years and used to plan the provision of services.
• Wars, conflicts and large-scale migration make it difficult to conduct accurate censuses, as refugees and residents of informal settlements are often excluded.