Most frequently asked questions related to the forthcoming population and housing census

Publications: 27.01.2020

1. What is the population of Kyrgyzstan today?

The permanent population of Kyrgyzstan made 6 million 390 thousand people at the beginning of 2019.

2. When was the last time the census was conducted?

The first national population census in independent Kyrgyzstan was conducted in 1999, during which 4.8 million people were registered. According to the results of the national population and housing census 2009, the population reached 5.3 million people.

The forthcoming population and housing census in the country will be held from March 23 to April 1, 2020. In remote areas, from April 20 to 29, 2020.

3. How is the upcoming census different from the previous one?

The main feature of the forthcoming census is the use of electronic methods of data collection. In this case, the data will be collected through a mobile application installed for scribes from the server of the National Statistical Committee on their personal phone or tablet on Android 5 and above.

For the first time, the census questionnaires include sustainable development goal indicators with questions on functional limitations for people with sight, hearing or walking problems. This will make it possible to identify the number of people with disabilities. Additional questions on the ability to use information technologies and solar panels are also included. In addition, within the framework of cooperation between the CIS and EEU member states, a block of questions on labour migration has been included in the census sheets.

4.      How will the census process go?

Each person in the place of permanent residence will be interviewed by a enumerator who has an ID with full name and a photo, signed and stamped by the head of the local administration.

Respondent's answers will be recorded in an electronic questionnaire in the scribe's phone and sent to the central server of the National Statistical Committee for further processing. For security and personal data protection purposes, the survey results will not be publicly available.

For security purposes and to verify the authenticity of the copyist's identity, there is a unique QR code on the copyist's identity card. If respondents want to verify the authenticity of a copyist and make sure he or she isn’t a scammer, they can scan the QR code. After scanning the QR code, a link to the NSC server will appear on a smartphone screen, where you can find information about the scribe: his photo and his first/last name. At the same time, part of the letters in the name will be closed in order to maintain the confidentiality of personal data. Please note that the QR code will not be stamped.

5.      How will a census be conducted in new settlements with no street names or house numbering?

According to the Calendar, approved at the session of the Republican Commission under the chairmanship of the First Deputy Prime Minister K. Boronov, the local self-government bodies are obliged to regulate the address of the housing stock of the country before the census. The work needs to specify street and residential area names, assign names to nameless streets, define house and apartment numbering in houses under construction.

6.      Can respondents be sure that their data is secure?

The date confidentiality is provided in the civil law contracts and job descriptions of all campaigners who have access to census sheets. Violation of this principle leads to liability according to the legislation of the Republic. In order to ensure confidentiality of the data provided by respondents, a mobile application installed on the personal phone of the scribe excludes the possibility of open access to the received data. At the same time, each scribe will be provided with a personal login and password to enter the mobile application, which operates in on-line and off-line mode. 

7.      It was reported earlier that if a citizen refuses to participate in the census, he or she will be liable under the law. What punishment awaits citizens who do not provide information about themselves?

It is well known that population censuses are the most important state event and have a mandatory character, and therefore the interviewees can't refuse to provide the required information. In case of refusal, they bear personal responsibility in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic.

8.      Why does the census matter for the state?

A population census is an important source of data on the social and economic situation of the population. The data on the education level, marriage and family structure and ethnolinguistic composition of the country can be obtained only by the results of the general population census.

Censuses are based on the principle of self-determination, i.e. the necessary information is obtained not from supporting documents, but from the respondent's words. The census takes into account the entire population, regardless of whether the person is a citizen or has a residence permit, has housing or does not have a certain place of residence.

The results of the census are widely used both in demographic and social policy, as well as for making forecasts and programmes for socio-economic development of the country and regions. In other words, the census is an instant portrait of society, which allows to judge the state of society, economy, social sphere and gives an opportunity to solve various issues more effectively.

9.      Will the number of labour migrants working abroad as well as internal migrants be taken into account?

According to the law, all citizens of Kyrgyzstan, foreign nationals and stateless persons in its territory, as well as citizens of Kyrgyzstan who have been abroad for no more than a year are subject to censuses.

For the citizens who are abroad of the Kyrgyz Republic for one year or more, a special census form has been developed for the first time, which will be used during the census.

Certain categories of the population (military personnel, persons serving sentences in correctional institutions and the staff of diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic abroad) are subject to censuses through the relevant bodies in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.

10.    Our society is very politicized and, judging by the tonality of social networks, the upcoming census is associated with the elections to the Jogorku Kenesh, which will also take place in 2020.

First of all, elections are a political event where only citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, who are of legal age and have the right to vote can participate. In contrast, the census is a full-scale State event in which the entire population of the country participates, regardless of citizenship.

11.    How many people will be involved in census events?

For the entire period of the census, the processing of census data and obtaining the results of the population and housing census of the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Statistical Committee and its territorial bodies will engage about 28 thousand temporary staff, 25 thousand of which are scribes. In total, 505 census departments and 2557 instructor stations will be established throughout the country.

Preference will be given to the Kyrgyz citizens aged 18 years or older who have previously taken part in a census or any statistical sample survey. In addition, a prerequisite for employment is the availability of a mobile phone running the operating system on version Android 5 and above.

12.    What data provided by respondents will be taken into account in the census?

The main questions in the census questionnaire are related to gender, date of birth, marital status, nationality, country and place of birth, temporary absence or temporary residence, citizenship, language skills, whether the respondent is related to migration, education, studies or kindergarten, information about work and livelihood. Additionally, information on computer, Internet and mobile communication skills will also be taken into account.

13.    How long will it take to do all the work?

The work is expected to be completed in 2023. The whole process of the census can be divided into a preparatory period, which includes the development of regulations, organizational, methodological and technological support, conducting a pilot census, raising mass awareness among the population and training the involved census personnel. The next and main stage is the census itself, which includes data collection about the population by scribes. Finally, during the third and final stage, the National Statistical Committee will process the received census materials, conduct analysis and disseminate results, as well as store the received data.

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Statistical census department e-mail: r.chynybaeva@stat.kg    tel. + 996 (312) 32 53 36

When using statistical data in mass media and scientific works, and disseminating it in information networks, paper, magnetic and other media, users are obliged to refer to their source (Article 17 of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On State Statistics").