Data collection of the 2016 Population By-census will take place from 7 to 21 August, for a period of 15 days.

Cheng I Wan, Acting Director of DSEC, Mak Hang Chan, Acting Deputy Director of DSEC, Ng Siu Lai, Director of UGAMM, and Chao I Sam, Sub-Director of UGAMM & Supervisor of the Branch Office of North District presided over the opening ceremony.

Acting Director of the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) Cheng I Wan stated that the 2016 Population By-census aims to obtain up-to-date information for updating the population statistics of Macao, prior to the next round of population census, in order to keep track of the changes in population. By-census data are essential source of information for government policy formulation as well as for business and academic researches.

The 2016 Population By-census adopts a sampling fraction of one-seventh to select about 33,000 housing units in Macao for enumeration. Information on demographic, social and economic characteristics will be collected from members of the households living in these housing units. Notification letters have been sent by DSEC to the selected housing units in early August. Households may complete the e-questionnaire via the Internet or the DSEC mobile application, or provide information through face-to-face interview with the visiting enumerators.

All enumerators will wear a yellow uniform of the 2016 Population By-census, carry a 2016 Population By-census identity badge that bears the name and photo of the enumerator, and a black satchel of the 2016 Population By-census. Enumerators, who conduct household interviews in pairs, will introduce themselves to the household upon arrival, present their identity badge and verify the address of the household. The 2016 Population By-census adopts a paperless data collection approach, and enumerators will use mobile phones to collect information. Meanwhile, DSEC has set up the 2016 Population By-census Hotline 8809 8809 to provide households with a convenient way to make enquiries relating to the By-census, to schedule face-to-face interview appointment and to verify the identity of the enumerators.

All enumerators of the 2016 Population By-census wear a yellow uniform, carry a valid identification badge and a black satchel.

DSEC appealed to members of the public to support the Population By-census and provide accurate information. They stressed that all information collected will be kept in strict confidence and used solely for statistical purposes. Data will be processed and published in aggregate form only, and no information pertaining to individual persons or households shall be disclosed.

Moreover, to raise public awareness of the Population By-census, DSEC and the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau co-organized the 2016 Population By-census FUN Show on 6 August at the leisure area of Edf. Lok Yeong Fa Yuen in Fai Chi Kei. The event, which attracted nearly 1,000 people, included drama, magic performance, singing and dancing, as well as game booths and lucky draw, offering a chance for the public to have fun and to learn more about the 2016 Population By-census.