The 2021 Population Census will be held from June 23 to August 4, 2021.

The Census & Statistics (2021 Population Census) Order was published in the gazette today to enable the conduct of the population census.

Hong Kong conducts a population census every 10 years to obtain up-to-date benchmark information on the socio-economic characteristics of the population and on its geographical distribution.

The information is a useful reference to the Government for planning and policy formulation, and the private sector as well as academia for business and research purposes.

Households are encouraged to participate in the census by means of online questionnaires starting from June 23, 2021.

Completing the online questionnaire is convenient and secure. Households can submit the requested information through the dedicated and secure website with computers or mobile devices.

They may also choose to provide the requested information for the short form questionnaires by telephone interview or postal return.

Additionally, from July 18 to August 4, 2021, Census & Statistics Department census officers will visit households who have not completed their questionnaires to collect the requested information.

In light of the evolving COVID-19 situation, the department will adopt contingency measures to reduce social contact.

The department will implement strict procedures to protect the privacy of all data collected and will only release statistics which will not reveal the identity of the people involved.

Completed questionnaires, in both paper and electronic form, will be destroyed on or before June 22, 2022.

The order will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on October 21.