Frequently asked questions
Why do we have a Census?
The Census aims to provide the parliament, the government, the local authorities, the economic, scientific and cultural organizations, as well as the whole civil society, with reliable statistical information that is needed for planning and implementing general policies of development, for private and public analysis and decision making, for scientific research and, in general, for improving the citizens’ knowledge and understanding of the demographic, economic and social reality of the country. For instance, the census is required to determine:
- where roads and transport need to be developed,
- how many and where schools and health facilities are required,
- how many teachers and health personnel need to be trained,
- what the requirements of the labour market are, and
- how many people of what age we can expect living in Albania in 10 or 20 years time. Businesses need census data to determine where to locate stores, assess potential workforce, and evaluate buyer markets.
The census is also important, because
- producing census results every ten years is a requirement in the application to join the EU;
- census data will make it possible to develop a building and dwelling register and a register of the usually resident population, which can serve as sources for register-based statistics in the years after 2023;
- census data are important for designing sampling frames for national household sample surveys.
Why is the census important for me?
Being counted in the census affects the amount of funding your community receives for public facilities, how your community plans for the future, and your representation in government. Census data give community leaders vital information to make decisions about maintaining public safety, preparing for emergencies, opening businesses and planning for the future for you and your family.
Why are census data needed to support decision-making?
An understanding of the population size and composition in terms of age and sex is vital to our country, nationally, locally and within different communities. Without national and local information on the population, its characteristics, education, working life and health, our public services and businesses cannot serve our communities as well as possible.
When should I participate in the census?
The Population and Housing census will take place in 2023. The field work will begin in 18 September 2023 and will continue for six weeks. Once the enumerator will contact you, you can have your information recorded in this period.
How can I respond?
In 2023, for the first time, the responses will be recorded by the enumerators in tablets. Responding should take less time than when answering for a paper-based questionnaire.
What information will be asked in the census?
The census asks for information on demographic, social and economic characteristics of individuals. This includes questions about age, sex, relationships between household members, place of birth, education level, employment status, ethnicity, religion, disability, as well as housing conditions.
What information will the census provide?
The census provides information on:
- the number and the geographical distribution of the resident population;
- the demographic structure and main social and economic characteristics of the population;
- the number and the geographical distribution of dwellings and buildings used for housing purposes;
- the housing conditions of the population.
Who should I include in my Census response?
You as the respondent should include anyone who is usual resident in the household that is being enumerated. This includes family members and roommates, foster children and friends who usually reside there and who and share partially or fully in the household economy. It should also include people who, for instance, are temporarily in the hospital or abroad for a period of less than 12 months, but who normally live with you. You should also list the persons who visited this household on census night and former household members who moved abroad in the last ten years.
If I have children away at university, should I include them in my Census response?
No. For the purpose of the census, a student’s “home” is where he/she lives while attending university. If students are not living at their parents’ home most of the time, the right place for them to be enumerated is in the town or country where they live while attending university.
What information will not be asked in the Census?
The 2023 census will not ask for:
- household income amounts
- bank or credit card account numbers
- money or donations
- anything concerning political parties.
Will my information be kept confidential? Who will see my information?
A strict law protects the confidentiality of your census information. It is against the law for any INSTAT employee or member of the field staff to disclose or publish any census information that identifies an individual. INSTAT employees take a lifelong pledge of confidentiality to handle data responsibly and keep respondents’ information private. Data collected can only be used for statistical purposes, which means that individual information cannot be identified. INSTAT has a robust program that incorporates best international practices and security standards for encrypting data.
Am I required to answer the census questions?
Yes, it is every person’s civic duty to participate in the census. By law, every person who at the time of the census is usually resident within the territory of the Republic of Albania is obliged to provide the information required in the census questionnaires, in a complete, accurate and reliable manner. The only exceptions are questions about ethnicity, religion and language, for which you may select the option ‘Prefer not to answer’.