The 15-day data collection of the 2011 Census concluded last Friday. The census officers have visited about 236,000 building units and the rate of completion stood at 95%, including 15,600 units opted to use e-Questionnaire. For the non-contact households of about 9,800 building units who might be travelling out of Macao, the census officers have left an appointment card, reminding them to contact the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) upon their return. In fact, there are returning households calling the Census Hotline in the last few days, to schedule appointment or complete the questionnaire. DSEC reiterates that completion of the census questionnaire is mandatory, while non-compliance is liable to fine; therefore, households who have not completed the Census questionnaire should contact DSEC as soon as possible.

DSEC states that the successful conclusion of the data collection of the 2011 Census is attributable to the full cooperation and support of the population, members of the public and government departments. As a token of thanks, the Cooperating Household Lucky Draw will be held on 14 October; the list of winners will be notified by DSEC staff and posted at the Census Website: censos.dsec.gov.mo

DSEC is going to conduct the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) on 1-9 September to evaluate the quality of Census data collected. About 3,000 households will be selected by sampling, among the completed cases, to re-verify basic demographic data. DSEC requests continuous cooperation of these households to the PES, and be cautious to confirm the identity of the visiting census officer before interview. The census officer is wearing a white Census uniform (blue collar T-shirt with the 2011 Census logo printed at the front and the back), carrying a Census Identity Card and a blue Census satchel. In case of doubt, household should call the Census Hotline at 8809 8809 to confirm the name, Census ID Card number, gender, etc. of the visiting Census officer.

After completion of the PES, DSEC will focus on data validation, processing and compilation of results. Preliminary results of the 2011 Census that include population size, gender and age structure, population by districts, etc. will be disseminated in December 2011. Detailed Census results will be published in April 2012, together with the release of the “2011 Census Geographical Information System”. In addition, DSEC will disseminate the “Macao Population Projection 2011-2036” in the fourth quarter of 2012.