Population Census

Overview

Survey Name

• Population Census

Survey Type

• Analytic 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
• Sector of statistical use: Population

Frequency

• Annual

Target Population

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

Survey Reference Period and Date

• Reference date: Nov. 1 of the year ~ May 31 of the following year
• Reference time: Nov. 1 (0:00 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)
• Nov. 1, 2015: Population and Housing Census
  • As for the complete enumeration, 24 kinds of administrative data of 13 agencies are used as a register census.
  • As for the sample enumeration, the Internet survey and face-to-face interview are carried out.
• Nov. 1, 2016: Population and Housing Census
  • As for the complete enumeration, 25 kinds of administrative data of 14 agencies are used as a register census.
• Nov. 1, 2017: Population and Housing Census
  • As for the complete enumeration, 25 kinds of administrative data of 14 agencies are used as a register census.
  • Nov. 1, 2018: Population and Housing Census
  • As for the complete enumeration, 25 kinds of administrative data of 14 agencies are used as a register census.
• Nov. 1, 2019: Population and Housing Census
  • As for the complete enumeration, 25 kinds of administrative data of 14 agencies are used as a register census.
• Nov. 1, 2020: Population and Housing Census
  • As for the complete enumeration, 25 kinds of administrative data of 14 agencies are used as a register census.
  • As for the sample(20%) enumeration, full introduction of electronic survey(pc,mobile, telephone) and face-to-face interview(using tablet pc) are carried out.

Survey item

• Complete survey (a total of 16 items as of 2020)
  • Population (8 items): Name, gender, relationship to head of household, nationality, immigration year and month, residence before 1 year, year of nationality acquisition
  • Household (2 item): Household type, housing facilaties type
  • Housing (6 items): Type of living quarters, total floor area for residence, site area, construction year, number of rooms, number of housing facilaties
• Sampling survey (a total of 45 items as of 2020)
  • Population (31 items): Name, gender, relationship with household head, nationality, immigration year and month, level of education, child care, limitations on activities, location of workplace/shcool, type of economic activity, martial status etc
  • Household (14 item): Household type, reasons for being a single-person household, period of living alone, housing facilaties type, animal companion etc

Basic data

• Status of resident population / 25 kinds including a resident register and a family relationship register

Production system

• Public and judicial agencies → Statistics Korea

Data Provision

Method of Publication and URL

• Method of publication: Press releases, Internet, publications
• Publication period: Sep. of the following year of the reference year
• URL: https://kosis.kr

Publication Frequency

• Annual(Complete survey), Once in 5 years(Samlping survey)

Publication Title

• Report on the Population and Housing Census

Contact

Director for International Cooperation. Tel: