censo

A census (censo) is an official count of a population, usually accompanied by basic information about households and housing. It is conducted by a government statistical agency and is intended to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the size, composition, and living conditions of a country or region. The term censo is used in Spanish and Portuguese, and derives from the Latin census, historically related to tax and property assessments.

Censuses typically collect data on age, sex, ethnicity or language, education, occupation, housing tenure, and place of birth, along with housing characteristics such as dwelling type and occupancy status. Some surveys also gather information on fertility, migration, health, income, and disability. The resulting data support government planning, electoral apportionment, allocation of resources, and social and economic research.

Historically, censuses have roots in ancient tax assessments and population registers. The modern census developed with centralized statistical offices in the 18th and 19th centuries and is now a standard instrument of state governance. Many countries conduct a census at fixed intervals, commonly every ten years, while some use different cycles or supplement with interim surveys. Data are collected through household interviews, self-completion, and increasingly online submissions, with methods including de jure and de facto counting and quality controls.

Limitations and use: censuses face challenges such as undercounting, nonresponse, and coverage gaps, particularly among marginalized groups or in remote areas. They require legal authority, significant funding, and careful data protection to safeguard privacy. Data are released by official statistical agencies and disseminated to policymakers, researchers, and the public, often with anonymization and access controls. The resulting information informs electoral systems, service planning, economic policy, and academic research.