1.		Why do we need a census and a by-census?
		It is an established practice since 1961 for Hong Kong to conduct a population census once every ten years, and a by-census in the middle of the intercensal period. Population censuses were conducted in 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001, and population by-censuses in 1966, 1976, 1986 and 1996. Following this practice, the next population by-census will be conducted in 2006. The aim of conducting population censuses/by-censuses is to obtain up-to-date benchmark information on the socio-economic characteristics of the population and on its geographical distribution. The information collected is vital to Government planning and policy formulation, particularly in such fields as education, housing, transport, medical and social services. The data are also important to the private sector for formulating business strategies and to researchers for conducting social and economic studies.

2.		What is the difference between a census and a by-census?
		A by-census differs from a full census in not having a complete headcount of the population but enquiring on the detailed characteristics of the population on the basis of a large sample. The size and characteristics of the entire population are inferred from the sample results in accordance with appropriate statistical theory. As a result, the statistics obtained from a by-census may be slightly less precise than those from a census. Other than the above, the contents and features of a census and a by-census are quite similar.

3.		How are the census/by-census data used for planning? Please give some examples. Can the private sector use the census/by-census results?
		The census/by-census will meet the needs of policy bureaux and government departments for up-to-date population data. In particular, it will provide: (i)   benchmark data for studying the direction and trend of population changes, which are key inputs for preparing projections of population, household, labour force and employment ; (ii)   population data on small areas for population distribution projections by geographical area and segment, which form the basis for government development programmes at regional and district levels; and (iii)   comprehensive data on small population sub-groups, such as the ethnic minorities and single parent families, for the government to plan welfare policies and service programmes. The census/by-census data are useful to the private sector for appraising market conditions and planning investment. For example, they are important for estimating customer demand which depend, among other factors, on the size, composition and geographical distribution of the population. The census/by-census data are also widely used by researchers in conducting social and economic researches.

4.		What are the estimated number of households and persons to be enumerated in the 2006 Population By-census?
		The 2006 Population By-census will require the participation of one-tenth of the households in Hong Kong. We estimate that some 0.69 million persons in about 0.22 million households will be enumerated in the By-census.

5.		When will the 2006 Population By-census be conducted?
		The 2006 Population By-census will be conducted in the 18-day period from 15 July to 1 August 2006.

6.		How will the 2006 Population By-census data be collected?
		"Interviewer method" as used in all previous censuses/by-censuses will continue to be used for collecting the 2006 Population By-census data. Census officers will visit sampled households and direct questions to individual persons in the households to complete the questionnaires. As census officers are trained to interpret the By-census questions and concepts, this method ensures that data will be collected through a standardized procedure, thus securing good data quality. Apart from the "interviewer method", an e-questionnaire will be provided in the 2006 Population By-census for those households/persons who opt for the choice of electronic data reporting.

7.		In designing the By-census, what criteria have been used for selecting data topics?
		In designing the topics for the By-census, the following factors have been considered: (i)   Usefulness of data; (ii)   Willingness and ability of the respondents to answer; (iii)   Ability of census officers to understand the questions and communicate with respondents; (iv)   Existence of other data source/data collection channel; (v)   Processing efforts; (vi)   Keeping the interviewing time within reasonable length; and (vii)   Recommendations of the United Nations.

8.		What are the data topics for the 2006 Population By-census?
		There are 41 data topics included in the 2006 Population By-census, same as the 2001 Population Census. Please refer Section 2.7 of the 2006 Population By-census Information Booklet (pages 13 to 15) on questionnaire contents.

9.		Will the Census and Statistics Department inform the sampled households individually about the conduct of the 2006 Population By-census?
		Yes, sampled households will be notified individually by letters issued by the Census and Statistics Department. There may be some households, however, living in premises which do not have clear mailing addresses. Letters will be delivered to them by the census officers during the first few days of the By-census period.

10.		When will the sampled households receive the letters?
		Letters will be dispatched to the sampled households on 7 July. Households should receive them around 8-12 July.

11.		At what time of the day will the census officer call at the household?
		Visits will normally be paid between 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays, and between 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sundays. Depending on situations, visits may be made during 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays for households living in remote areas, on board vessels and with appointments specially made.

12.		Can households make appointment for the census officer's visit?
		Yes, through using the Appointment Request Service on the Internet (www.bycensus2006.gov.hk/ars), calling the 2006 Population By-census enquiry centre (tel.: 3582 3800) or phoning the number specified on the appointment card deposited by the census officer if they wish. We will try our best to arrange a mutually convenient time.

13.		How long will it take to complete an interview for a household?
		It depends on the number of household members in the household. The interview will take about 30 minutes for, say, a household with 4 members.

14.		Are household members required to answer the questions in person?
		Household members should answer the questions themselves, except for those who are aged below 15 or who is unable to give the particulars by reason of sickness, disablement, absence or other sufficient reasons.

15.		What is the electronic questionnaire? How does it collect data?
		To facilitate the public in providing the information required for the By-census electronically, the Census and Statistics Department will provide electronic questionnaires to households/persons upon request. Sampled households/persons can call the Census and Statistics Department to register for using the electronic questionnaires on or before 14 July 2006. During the registration, they will need to provide some basic information for preparing the tailor made and encrypted electronic questionnaires. These electronic questionnaires will be uploaded to a website with access control. Using the password contained in the password letter delivered to the respondent, he/she can download and open the electronic questionnaire for completion. Functions like question skipping, verification and probing are embedded in the electronic questionnaire to facilitate the respondent in completing it. The completed and encrypted electronic questionnaire can be returned directly to the 2006 Population By-census Office through the Internet.

16.		Why am I selected for the 2006 Population By-census?
		The 2006 Population By-census will require the participation of one-tenth of the households in Hong Kong (i.e. about 0.22 million households). The households are selected using scientific sampling procedures. Sampling is conducted randomly. In simple terms, all households in Hong Kong are queued up in a sequential order, and then one household is selected from every ten households in the queue.

17.		All members of my household will not be in Hong Kong during the 18-day By-census period. What should I do?
		A Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ) will be deposited into your mail box on the last day of the By-census period (i.e. 1 August). Please complete the SAQ and return it to us by mail on or before 16 August. Alternatively, you can call the 2006 Population By-census enquiry centre (tel: 3582 3800) to provide the information through telephone interview or request for an electronic questionnaire for electronic reporting.

18.		Can I ask to check the Hong Kong Identity Card of the census officers?
		No. You could only check his/her Census Officer Certificate of Identity. In case of doubt, you may call the 2006 Population By-census enquiry centre at 3582 3800.

19.		Can I ask to change the census officer if I know him/her?
		Yes, please call the 2006 Population By-census enquiry centre at 3582 3800 to make suitable arrangements.

20.		Can I refuse to answer any question? If no, why?
		The 2006 Population By-census is conducted under the Census and Statistics Ordinance (2006 Population Census) Order, which was made by the Chief Executive in Council in December 2005 under section 9 of the Census and Statistics Ordinance for the conduct of the 2006 Population By-census. Under the Census and Statistics Ordinance, specified persons are legally obliged to provide the information required by the 2006 Population By-census. By-census data are widely used by both the Government and the private sector. It is therefore very important for the Census and Statistics Department to ensure that the data are of good quality. This relies very much on the cooperation of the public in providing accurate and complete information. It is therefore necessary for Hong Kong, as in many other places in the world, to make it a legal obligation to data in the By-census. We assure you that data collected regarding individual persons and households will be kept strictly confidential and will not be released to any other parties including government departments. All questionnaires will be destroyed within 12 months after the By-census is completed.

21.		Am I required to provide information on my Hong Kong Identity Card number?
		All respondents to the 2006 Population By-census are not required to provide Hong Kong Identity Card numbers

22.		How would the Census and Statistics Department ensure the security and confidentiality of the By-census data, including those provided on the electronic questionnaires?
		The confidentiality of data is one of the prime concerns of the Census and Statistics Department in conducting the 2006 Population By-census. Under the Census and Statistics Ordinance, it is an offence for census officers to disclose the particulars of individual persons or households to unauthorized persons. The following measures will be taken to ensure data confidentiality: (i)   Drawing up clear procedures to ensure data confidentiality during data collection work. All field workers are required to strictly adhere to these procedures; (ii)   Providing comprehensive training on data confidentiality to all field workers to enable them to understand their legal obligation and details of the related procedures; (iii)   All completed questionnaires will be processed and stored in a special area for processing By-census data only. Detailed records of document movements are maintained; (iv)   Computer records of the By-census data will be stored and processed in computers with restricted access; (v)   All questionnaires will be destroyed within one year from the field operation; and (vi)   Detailed geographical codes of individual records will be removal in the formation of the data set for processing to ensure that individual person and household information cannot be deduced from the very detailedly cross-tabulated statistics. For the electronic questionnaires, there will be additional measures to safeguard the personal data contained therein. First, they are password-controlled. The electronic questionnaire can only be downloaded from the designated website and open for completion using a pre-assigned password. Second, the data transmission process during the download and submission of the electronic questionnaires through the Internet to/from the computer centre of the Census and Statistics Department is encrypted.

23.		When will the completed questionnaires be destroyed?
		Within one year after the 2006 Population By-census.

24.		Will information on individual persons and households collected in the 2006 Population By-census be used for criminal investigation, taxation, rate evaluation, or enforcement of the housing or immigration ordinances?
		No. Information is only used for compiling statistics only. Identifiable individual data will neither be kept in the computer nor be disclosed to any other bodies (including government departments). Within the Census and Statistics Department, the information will not be accessible to any unauthorized persons for whatsoever purposes.

25.		Can I gain access to my personal data on the questionnaire after the By-census period?
		In accordance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, you have the right of accessing and correcting your personal data kept by this Department. However, please note that all the data collected in the By-census will be used for compiling statistics only and will not be used for any administrative purposes.

26.		What is the estimated cost of the 2006 Population By-census?
		The estimated cost of the 2006 Population By-census is $150 million.