Population Census

Overview

Survey Name

• Population Census

Survey Type

• Survey Statistics

Type of Statistics

• Designated Statistics

Purpose

• To understand the characteristics of the size, distribution and structure of population and housing; to provide data required for establishing various policies
• To provide sampling frame for various household-related surveys

Frequency

• Quinquennial (In 2010, the 18th Population Census and 10th Housing Census were conducted.)

Target Population

• As of the reference date, all Korean and foreign residents residing within Korean territory and their residences (including empty houses)

Survey Unit and Target Population Size

• Survey unit: household (a living unit composed of one or more persons cooking and sleeping in the same dwelling)
• Target population size: around 17,574 households

Survey Reference Period and Date

• Reference date and time: Nov. 1, 2010 (0 am)

History

• Oct. 1, 1925: Simple National Census
  • The first Population Census
• Oct. 1, 1930: Joseon National Census
  • Economic activities of occupation, etc. included for the first time
• Oct. 1, 1935: Joseon National Census
• Oct. 1, 1940: National Census
• May 1, 1944: Simple National Census
• May 1, 1949: Population Census
  • Changed the title of survey (Simple National Census → Population Census)
  • Included details of internal migration for the first time
• Sep. 1, 1955: Simple Population Census
• Dec. 1, 1960: National Population and Housing Census
  • Changed the title to「National Population and Housing Census」by including details related to housing for the first time with the support from UN Statistics Agency
  • 20% sample collection of details related to economic activities and fertility
  • Established the concept of labor force
• June 1962: Approval of statistical production
• Oct. 1, 1966: Population Census
  • Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (economic activities and fertility)
• Oct. 1, 1970: Population and Housing Census
  • Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (details of economic activities, fertility, internal migration and housing)
• Oct. 1, 1975: Population and Housing Census
  • Joint administration of 5% sampling survey (details of economic activities, fertility, internal migration and housing)
• Nov. 1, 1980: Population and Housing Census
  • Changed the reference date of survey (Oct.1 → Nov.1)
  • Joint administration of 15% sampling survey (economic activities, fertility and internal migration)
• Nov. 1, 1985: Population and Housing Census
  • Administration of complete survey of all the items
  • Survey of the items on surname, family origin and religion
• Nov. 1, 1990: Population and Housing Census
  • Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (details of economic activities, fertility, internal migration, commuting and attending school and households)
  • Introduced OMR system of data input
• Nov. 1, 1995: Population and Housing Census
  • Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (details of economic activities, commuting and attending school, internal migration and households)
  • Administered survey on empty houses by using empty house questionnaires
• Nov. 1, 2000: Population and Housing Census
  • Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (details of economic activities, internal migration, the aged, informatization and households)
  • Introduced input methods by respondents for apartment areas
  • Introduced input method by local PC
• Nov. 1, 2005: Population and Housing Census
  • Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (details of economic activities, internal migration, commuting & attending school, low fertility rate, the aged and a part of households)
  • Change in survey periods and workload of surveyors: change from the 10-day-long survey to the 15-day-long survey, and adjustment of workload per surveyor
  • Introduced a Web-based input system
  • Introduced an Internet-based survey system
  • Introduced training programs through the cyber space
  • Focused on low fertility rate, ageing and quality of residence
• Nov. 1, 2010: Population and Housing Census
  • Expansion of the Internet-based survey (0.9% → 30% target)
  • Replacement of the item of apartment housing with administrative data
  • Selection of the items related to low carbon, green growth; environment-friendly questionnaires and supplies
  • 2-step survey system: Internet survey → face-to-face interview
  • Efficient data entering method by ICR input method
  • Efficient contents reviewing by using the E&I (Editing & Imputation) system
  • Survey items: 19 items for complete survey; 31 for sample survey (including 3 for cities and provinces)

Data Provision

Method of Publication and URL

• Preliminary results: Dec. 2010
  • Announced the population, and the number of households and housing units after compiling the results by referring to the household register that enumerators compiled
• Complete enumeration results
  • Population sector: May 2011
  • Household & housing sector: July 2011
• Sample enumeration results
  • Commuters, Internal Migration sectors: Sep. 2011
  • Female, children, eldery, activity constraint, social activity sectors: Oct. 2011
  • Residential conditions, IT devices, means of transportation sectors: Oct. 2011
• URL: http://kosis.kr

Publication Frequency

• Quinquennial

Publication Title

• Report on the Population and Housing Census