Describe the present time, you will influence the future - this is, in short, the message of the Population and Housing Census to be held in the Slovak Republic as early as next year, on 21 May 2011. This most extensive statistical inquiry will provide not only new data about the number of population residing within the Slovak Republic, but also information regarding the population’s demographic, educational, social and economic structure. Equally interesting to the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic will be data and information describing the housing standard and the structure of existing housing stock.
Accurately, completely, truthfully and timely completed Census Sheets will become a source of unique information bearing on the migration of population and the grounds for such movement, and provide answers to many other questions connected with the development of society. These data and information will be used directly in decision-making processes associated with governing the country and developing forecasts for the future development of society; the value of this knowledge can also be greatly increased in the international context. That is to say, the 2011 Population and Housing Census will be conducted pursuant to Regulation (EC) of the European Parliament and of the Council and will take place in all EU Member Countries. In order to ensure international comparability of the data, the SR Statistical Office has made some changes in the contents of the census sheets used ten years ago. One new rule is, for instance, that the Resident Sheet must clearly indicate the place of the resident’s usual residence. This item will refer to a place at which each of us usually dwells throughout the year and which may not necessarily be the address of our permanent residence. Also, questions like those related computer literacy of the Slovak Republic’s population are new questions.
The Population and Housing Census will be managed, guided and coordinated by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic who will cooperate with applicable central government authorities, district offices, municipalities, and higher territorial units. The Statistical Office cares about whether really all residents, without distinction, use their right to get counted. That is why the Census Sheets will also be available (in addition to the country’s official language) in the languages of the ethnic minorities, i.e. in Hungarian, Romany, Ukrainian, and Ruthenian. For the first time in history, the public will be allowed to choose whether to complete the questionnaires in paper or electronic form. Electronic forms will also be available in the English language. For this purpose, the SR Statistical Office will create a special website (scitanie2011.sk) will also perform informational tasks; the website will be answering questions about basic issues involved in the Census and publishing curiosities and assorted trivia associated with this event of exceptional importance to us and anywhere in the world. In the preparation of the Census, the Statistical Office also remembers to plan for the special needs of the blind and visually impaired. Explanatory notes to the Census Sheets will be available in Braille. Information on the Census will also be disseminated through CD and DVD carriers.