The aim is to provide up-to-date benchmark statistics on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population and on its geographical distribution.

Since 1961, a population census has been conducted in Hong Kong every 10 years and a by-census in the middle of the intercensal period.

The aim is to provide up-to-date benchmark statistics on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population and on its geographical distribution.

A schedule specifying the matters in respect of which respondents are required to give particulars is included in the Order.

In population censuses conducted since 1981, a simple enumeration on all households in Hong Kong has been carried out to provide basic information (e.g. year and month of birth and sex) and a detailed enquiry on a certain proportion of households to provide a broad range of demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population.

In other words, all households sampled for the by-census are required to provide detailed information about their demographic and socio-economic characteristics by completing the "Long Form".

A sample of about one-tenth of the residential addresses in Hong Kong was randomly selected for enumeration in the 2016 Population By-census, covering some 300 000 quarters.

Since 1961, a population census has been conducted in Hong Kong every 10 years and a by-census in the middle of the intercensal period.