HK's Population Census to Commence on March 15The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will conduct the 2001 Population Census from March 15 to 27, 2001.It was announced by the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Frederick W. H. Ho, Monday. According to Ho, all households in HKSAR will be interviewed by census officers during the period. The purpose of the Census is to obtain up-to-date benchmark information on the size and socio-economic characteristics of the population and on its geographical distribution. "Statistics compiled from the information collected in the Census are vital to government planning and policy formulation, particularly in such fields as education, housing, transport, medical and social services. The data are also important to the private sector in formulating business strategies," Ho said. The 2001 Population Census will target the entire population of Hong Kong, including the land population and the marine population. Persons living in some special types of quarters such as infirmaries would also be covered. The Census and Statistics Department deploys about 22,000 census officers to carry out the fieldwork. Ho said that this large-scale project would cost some 550 million HK dollars (70 million US dollars). He added that the statistics obtained from the Census will help build a better future for Hong Kong. |
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