Field visits for the 2021 Population Census have resumed since Monday (23 Aug) and 800 Census officers have been arranged to visit households who have not responded to the Census to collect information. Nearly 40,000 residential, industrial and commercial units were visited in the first two days of field visit. Among the households that were contacted, almost 70% completed the Census questionnaire while the remaining households activated their access to the online questionnaire or scheduled a telephone interview.

Census Coverage Rate at 66% and Response Rate at 58%

The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) resumed field visits for Census data collection on 23 August and extended the data collection period to 28 August. As at yesterday (24 Aug), the Census coverage rate reached 66%, and the overall response rate was 58%.

DSEC Director Ieong Meng Chao indicated that most of the households were co-operative. For non-contact households, Census officers will leave an appointment card and a notification letter and these households are requested to contact DSEC at their earliest convenience to provide information.

Census officers, wearing a Population Census uniform and carrying a Census ID badge and a grey shoulder bag, conduct household visits in pairs. They will follow disinfection procedures according to the pandemic prevention guidelines before and after visiting a household. Households may obtain the details of the Census officers such as their names and ID badge numbers by scanning the QR code on the notification letter or questionnaire. In case of doubt, households may call the Census Hotline at 8809 8809 to verify the identity of the visiting Census officers.

Persons Having a Residence in Macao Shall Also Respond to Census

In recent years, an increasing number of Macao people live and purchase properties in mainland China, and some people often commute between Macao and the Mainland for work, studies or living. As to whether these people are included in the Census, Director Ieong indicated that the Population Census covers all units in Macao and that people who have a usual residence or a second home in Macao shall also respond to the Census.

Moreover, people who have two or more residences in Macao shall only provide information on their main residence and inform DSEC about their other residences by calling the Census Hotline at 8809 8809.

Quality Evaluation and Follow-up to Outstanding Cases to be Conducted in September

To ensure the quality of data of the Population Census, DSEC will conduct a quality evaluation in September and verify basic information with selected households. Meanwhile, DSEC will follow up with households who have not completed the questionnaire.

DSEC extends its appreciation for the support and co-operation from the public and appeals to the households who have not completed the Census questionnaire to provide information via online or telephone means, in paper form, or to the visiting Census officers by this Saturday (28 Aug). For more information, please visit the webpage of the 2021 Population Census (https://www.dsec.gov.mo/Censos2021).