China starts once-a-decade census of world’s largest population

The national headcount was almost 1.34 billion in 2010, and Beijing says that could grow to 1.42 billion this time around
Millions of volunteers will help collect the data but most citizens are expected to enter their information via a smartphone app

China society

Agence France-Presse

Published: 6:17pm, 1 Nov 2020

Why you can trust SCMP

Millions of census-takers began knocking on doors across China on Sunday for a once-a-decade headcount of the world’s largest population that for the first time will use mobile apps to help crunch the massive numbers.

About 7 million community workers and volunteers will drive the two-month data collection effort, visiting homes ranging from residential skyscrapers in downtown Shanghai to remote Tibetan mountain villages.

Explainer | What is China’s census, and why is it important?

China conducts the census every 10 years to determine population growth, movement patterns and other trends, using the findings to apportion resources for education, health, transport, labour, elderly care and other services.

The previous tally in 2010 counted 1,339,724,852 people, an increase of 5.8 per cent from a decade earlier, or almost 74 million people – more than the population of both Britain and France.

02:19

China begins once-in-a-decade census to gather details about its 1.4 billion population

Much of the attention on this year’s census, which is expected to take two years to compile, will focus on whether it indicates any population bump from China’s relaxation of its former “one-child policy”.

The policy was introduced in the late 1970s to slow rapid population growth amid concerns over too many mouths to feed, but was relaxed four years ago to allow two children due to fears over China’s rapidly ageing society and shrinking workforce.

But the change has not yet resulted in a baby boom.

The national birth rate last year was the slowest since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, with many Chinese today choosing smaller families due to higher living costs.

China conducts a census every 10 years to determine population growth, movement patterns and other trends. Photo: AFP

The government forecasts the 2020 census could update the population to 1.42 billion, a 6 per cent increase. But a research institute affiliated with property giant Evergrande Group issued a study last week saying the government figure was an overestimate, and recommended that three children be allowed.

“If adjustments are not made, it will seriously affect national rejuvenation and [China’s] rise as a great power,” it said, citing two of the goals set by President Xi Jinping.

The study sparked a passionate online discussion, with many saying the real curbs on childbirth were rising costs and insufficient policy support for families.

“Even a 10-child policy is useless until we create a society that is childbirth friendly and child-rearing friendly,” said one widely “liked” comment on the WeChat platform.

China’s 2010 census put the country’s population at 1.34 billion, an increase of 5.8 per cent from a decade earlier. Photo: AFP

Demographic experts have estimated it could take 15 years for the two-child policy to have any noticeable effect as other factors mitigate against rapid growth, including increasingly empowered Chinese women delaying or avoiding childbirth, and the slower population growth that comes with rising national affluence.

Despite the door-to-door visits, most citizens are expected to enter their information via a smartphone app, adding to rising concerns about privacy protection.

Vast amounts of Chinese economic activity and payments are handled through digital apps such as WeChat and its rival Alipay, offered by Ant Group, which is affiliated to Alibaba Group, which also owns the South China Morning Post.

China’s educated housewives feel overworked and underappreciated

Many consumers accept the resulting surrender of data on their buying habits, travel and other personal information as a small price to pay for digital conveniences. But others worry over privacy and data security, heightened further this year with China’s introduction of a nationwide system of digital “health codes” that score citizens on whether they pose a potential coronavirus threat and which must be shown to enter many public venues.

The National Statistics Bureau, which oversees the census, said in May that all personal data gathered during the process would be kept strictly confidential and used for no other purpose than the census.

The government last month unveiled a draft personal data protection law, which outlines stiff punishments for violators.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Once-in-a-decade census using apps for the first time

Post