Let Paul and Charlotte Introduce You : A Brand-new Data Collection Platform for the 2026 Population Census

The 2026 Population Census will be conducted from 1 January to 31 December 2026. Sampled households will receive in batches a notification letter from the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD). Upon receiving the letter, households should follow the instructions to complete the questionnaire.

To facilitate reporting by respondents and improve the efficiency of data processing, the online questionnaire has been enhanced and a new data collection platform has been developed to support the multi-modal data collection work and subsequent data processing. All information stored in the system is kept in strict confidence and is used solely for statistical purposes. The general public can rest assured to provide us with data.

Now, let our mascots for the 2026 Population Census, "Paul (阿普)" and "Charlotte (阿查)", introduce the features of this new data collection platform and how households can provide data through it!

Charlotte, I have just received the notification letter issued by the C&SD regarding the participation in the 2026 Population Census. I know you are a census officer responsible for this census. Could you tell me how to complete the questionnaire?

Paul, a new data collection platform is used in the 2026 Population Census to support the multi-modal data collection work, among which the most convenient way, for sure, is the online questionnaire that can be completed by yourself anytime and anywhere!

Upon receipt of the notification letter, households can scan the QR code as printed on the notification letter or visit the website (https://oq.census2026.gov.hk) to access the online questionnaire. Households can choose to use “iAM Smart” to set up the online questionnaire account, or directly input their mobile number or email address to receive a one-time password to complete the setting. Next, households can fill in the online questionnaire easily.

Filling online questionnaire is really simple! However, what if my family members are not familiar with using the internet, are there any alternatives?

No worries! Households can also call the Census Hotline 18 2026. Our census officers will conduct telephone interview with them.
[Service hours of the Census Hotline: 1 January - 31 December 2026 from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (except public holidays)]

What can I do in case I do not have time to call the hotline?

It is completely fine. Our census officers will visit households that have not yet responded to conduct a face-to-face interview from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

It is worth noting that the census officer will conduct the interview with a mobile tablet and the data will be verified in real time by the new data collection platform and uploaded to the government server in encrypted form. It gives the respondent a smoother interview experience and preserves data security!

Thank you for your introduction, Charlotte! Participating in the 2026 Population Census is simple and convenient, and I am delighted to be part of it!

You are welcome, Paul! Let me share more information with you. To make good use of resources and create synergy effect, upon the completion of the 2026 Population Census, this new data collection platform will be expanded and transformed to the departmental data collection platform. It will be used for other surveys and the future population censuses conducted by the C&SD.

Appeal by Charlotte and Paul: Census data are useful for planning the future of Hong Kong. Your participation is important. Please support the 2026 Population Census!

For more information, please visit the thematic webpage of the 2026 Population Census: www.census2026.gov.hk.

HO Yee-kee, Candice
Statistician
19 December 2025