The 2026 Population Census will take place from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026. The Census & Statistics (2026 Population Census) Order was published in the Government Gazette today (Feb. 14).
To modernize Hong Kong's census approach, several new initiatives will be introduced. Only about 10% of the population will receive detailed long-form questionnaires. Additionally, more government administrative data will be utilized to ease the reporting burden on respondents.
A test survey for the census will occur from April to July this year, and selected households are encouraged to participate via online questionnaires or telephone interviews. Census officers will visit households that have not submitted their responses.
Participating households will receive a notification letter from the Census & Statistics Department. Those without phone numbers provided will not receive calls from the department.
Census officers will wear uniforms and carry identification when visiting households. The department will follow strict procedures to safeguard collected data and will only release non-identifiable statistics.
All completed questionnaires, whether paper or electronic, will be destroyed by Dec. 31, 2027. The order will be presented to the Legislative Council for negative vetting on Feb. 19.
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