Népszámlálási

Népszámlálási is the adjectival form derived from népszámlálás, the Hungarian term for a population census. It is used to describe things related to a census, such as népszámlálási adatok (census data), népszámlálási kérdőív (census questionnaire), or népszámlálási program (census program). The word signals that the subject pertains to the systematic counting of people and housing within a country or region.

A census is a comprehensive count and survey of a population and its housing. Its primary purpose is to provide accurate, up-to-date information about the size, structure, and distribution of the population, as well as housing conditions and related socio-economic characteristics. Typical data collected include age, sex, household composition, education, employment, language, ethnicity, religion, and dwelling type. Census results inform government planning, resource allocation, policy development, and the drawing of electoral districts, among other functions. In many countries, census data are a key input for statistical and social research and for monitoring demographic trends over time.

Administration and ethics are central to a népszámlálási process. The task is usually carried out by the national statistical office (in Hungary, the Központi Statisztikai Hivatal, KSH). Data collection methods can include self-response questionnaires, door-to-door enumeration, or a combination of approaches, sometimes supplemented by administrative data. Confidentiality and data protection laws govern the handling and publication of results, which are typically released in aggregated form to protect individual identities.