2026 Population Census to commence in January next year (with photos/video)
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) announced today (December 19) that the 2026 Population Census will be conducted from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
Speaking at a press conference, the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Leo Yu, remarked that the Census helps the Government to understand Hong Kong's demographic and socio-economic characteristics by providing vital statistical information for future planning and development. As a major step to modernise the mode of Hong Kong's population censuses, several re-engineering initiatives will be implemented from the 2026 Population Census to streamline and improve workflow. Every five years, the C&SD will randomly select only 10 per cent of households in Hong Kong for detailed enquiry. The remaining 90 per cent of households will not be required to fill out any questionnaire. In addition, while data collection will be conducted throughout the year, instead of concentrated within 1.5 months as in the past, selected households are only required to submit one questionnaire within the data collection period. Government administrative data will also be used more extensively to simplify the content of the questionnaire.
Mr Yu emphasised that the C&SD strives to protect the data privacy of all persons and households. Information collected in the Census will be kept in strict confidence and only be used to compile aggregate statistics. Such information will not be disclosed to any unauthorised parties. All completed questionnaires will also be destroyed by December 31, 2027.
About 10 per cent of households in Hong Kong (i.e. some 300 000 households) will be selected through random sampling to participate in the 2026 Population Census. The C&SD will issue notification letters in purple envelopes to the sampled households in batches starting from the end of this month.
Sampled households (including owner-occupiers or tenants) who have received the notification letter can submit the required information via one of the following means:
(1) Completing the online questionnaire (by accessing the Online Questionnaire through scanning the QR code on the notification letter or visiting the website (oq.census2026.gov.hk)); or
(2) Conducting a telephone interview (by calling the Census Hotline at 18 2026).
Sampled households are encouraged to complete the online Census questionnaire with ease by smartphones, desktop computers or mobile tablets. Census officers will also visit households with outstanding responses and assist them in completing the questionnaire. When visiting households, census officers will wear a grey vest uniform, and carry an Enumerator Identity Card and a Census Officer Certificate of Identity issued by the C&SD for identification purposes.
The C&SD reminds the public to be aware of scamming activities. Households will not be required to provide information on their Hong Kong identity card, bank accounts or credit cards in the Census. If households have not provided the C&SD with their contact information, the C&SD will not initiate calls, send emails or SMS messages to them. The caller ID "18 2026" or SMS sender ID "#C&SD" will be displayed when the C&SD calls or sends SMS messages to households in Hong Kong. To report suspected deception cases or verify the identity of census officers, members of the public should call the Census Hotline 18 2026.
The Census Hotline will operate from 9 am to 10 pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) throughout the data collection period (from January to December 2026). Members of the public can call the Census Hotline at 18 2026 or visit the thematic webpage of the 2026 Population Census (www.census2026.gov.hk) for more information if they require assistance in completing the questionnaire.
The Census is conducted under Section 9 of the Census and Statistics Ordinance (Cap. 316). All persons specified are obliged to provide the required information. It is an offence if any persons contravene the legal requirement for completing the Census questionnaire.
2026 Population Census to commence in January next year (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Population Census to commence in January next year (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2026 Population Census to commence in January next year (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
