For almost a century and a half - from 1719 to 1858. – the main source of information about the population of Russia was audits. Their goal was to take into account representatives of the tax-paying classes—revision souls. After the tenth revision (1858), information about the number of subjects of the Russian Empire could be obtained from the Most Subject Reports of the governors. These documents were compiled on the basis of reports from police officials, obtained, in turn, from the materials of metric books, which were kept by the parish clergy.
Back in 1850, the chairman of the Statistical Department of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society, A.P. Zablotsky-Desyatovsky, compiled a “Note” justifying the need to conduct a census of the population not subject to audit registration. But his proposals were rejected on the pretext that they could not bring significant financial benefits. Conducting a one-day census was considered impossible “pending improvements in communications, an increase in population density and the greatest possible spread of literacy among fairy tale writers.”
The problems of unsatisfactory demographic accounting clearly emerged during the preparation for the introduction of universal conscription. A circular from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of December 10, 1873 ordered special attention to be paid to population registration, and the Central Statistical Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (hereinafter - CSK) began to develop general guidelines for conducting a census in the Empire. Privy Councilor P.P. Semenov, who headed the Central Committee, drafted the “Regulations on the Census” taking into account the requirements of statistics (periodicity, one-day, universality). The editor of the CSK, actual state councilor A. A. Bushen, also presented his version; it was called “The Charter of the Eleventh People’s Census” and was similar to revisions, although it was supposed to apply to all classes.
The census was scheduled for 1878, but the State Council did not even begin to consider this issue due to the war with Turkey that began in 1877.
In the Ministry of Finance, since February 1874, the census project was developed by a commission chaired by Senator A.K. Giers. Having a largely fiscal character, it was significantly reworked later by P. P. Semenov. However, the Ministry of Finance suspended its submission to the State Council due to the expected abolition of the poll tax. Since 1885, the registration lost all significance for financial purposes, accounting for cash per capita became necessary, but financial difficulties of the State Treasury and the bad harvest of 1892 again forced the postponement of census work. Only in 1894 did the Statistical Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs return to consider the project, which on March 11, 1895 was submitted for approval to the State Council.
In fact, the preparatory work for the census was led by the outstanding geographer and statistician Pyotr Petrovich Semenov (the addition of “Tyan-Shansky” to his surname was granted in 1906 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his first trip to Altai and Kyrgyzstan). He was an honorary member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1873), headed the Russian Geographical Society (1873–1914), and in 1859–1860. was an expert member of the Editorial Commission for the preparation of the peasant reform of 1861. He received the position of manager of the CSK, perhaps not without the patronage of his father-in-law, A.P. Zablotsky-Desyatovsky, but this appointment turned out to be successful. In 1864 and 1869 Semenov conducted censuses of residents of St. Petersburg; in 1870, on his initiative, the first All-Russian Congress of Statisticians was convened. In 1877, a land census developed by P. P. Semenov was carried out, which reflected the state of the country’s agricultural sector after the reform of 1861. From December 1875, he headed the Statistical Council and became increasingly convinced that “accurate knowledge of the number and composition of the population... reflects the degree of development of science and civil success.” In the summer of 1895, on his family estate Gremyachka, Pyotr Petrovich conducted a test census based on the form he developed.
On June 5, 1895, Nicholas II approved the Regulations on the Census, in which its purpose was explained as follows: “... all residents of the state will be counted one by one so that the Government can know the correct numbers or population count both in the entire state and in each individual district , in every volost, village and estate." General management was entrusted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Under him, the Main Census Commission was established, and in the localities - provincial and district commissions.
When choosing the date of the census, according to the memoirs of V.P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, who in 1897 played the role of secretary to his father, “it was necessary to choose a time when the population in the province was most stable in their homes and at the same time most soberly. Therefore, the date of January 1, as too close to the Christmas holidays with their traveling and drinking parties usual at this time, was rejected by the Main Census Commission. At the same time, it was necessary to arrange a census before Maslenitsa, when drinking parties resume. As a result of the discussion of this issue, the date for the census was set at January 28, 1897, although this did not coincide with the usual dates for Western European censuses and American censuses. In the same way, the very date for carrying out the census in 1897, and not in 1900, as is done in Western Europe and America, depended on the fact that by 1897 the financial department found it possible to allocate the necessary millions for this task (the cost of the census amounted to about 7 million rubles – E.T.) from the state budget, and it was impossible to guarantee in advance for 1900. We had to “strike while the iron is hot.”
The program, organization, and conduct of the census largely corresponded to the practice of Western European countries. The unit of observation was the household. Three types of census forms were used: form A for peasant farms, form B for privately owned farms, and form C for the urban population. The census form contained 14 items: 1) last name, first name and patronymic; here a note was made about physical disabilities; 2) floor; 3) by whom the person recorded is the head of the household and the head of his family; 4) how many years or months have passed since birth; 5) single, married, widowed or divorced; 6) class, condition or rank; 7) whether he was born here, and if not here, then where exactly; 8) whether it is assigned here, and if not here, then where exactly; 9) where he usually lives; 10) a note on absence, absence and temporary residence; 11) religion; 12) native language; 13) literacy (can read and where he studied, studied or completed an education course); 14) occupation, craft, trade, position or service (with the identification of main and secondary occupations and military service status).
The government announced that the census “will not serve as a reason for any new taxes or duties,” but pursues only the goal of “getting acquainted with the population” and “forming accurate concepts about the most diverse conditions of people’s life.” However, many peasants did not trust the authorities too much. Rumors spread in the Yaroslavl province that after the census, women (primarily young widows) would be resettled in an unknown “Arabia”. In the Tomsk province, as local newspapers reported, there were rumors that the counters were servants of the Antichrist, applying his seal, so one should avoid accounting in every possible way. In early January, “trusted Mohammedan societies began to flock to Kazan ... to submit petitions for clarification of the purpose of the general census, explaining such a demand with fear for the government’s alleged forced conversion of Mohammedans to the Orthodox faith.” The question of faith was also acute for the Uniates of Ukraine and Belarus: in these areas, during the census, they decided not to fill out the corresponding item at all, collecting data from officials, otherwise “the census could only strengthen those who persist in their errors.”
But it rarely came to open clashes, because information was often collected by people who were well known to the residents. They were recruited from folk teachers, clergy, retired military officials, and zemstvo officials. At first, there were not enough people willing to act as scribes. To resolve the problem, on November 21, 1896, Nicholas II established an inexpensive bronze medal “For work on the first general census of 1897” for those who worked for free. After this, in many provinces “the supply of services exceeded the need.”
To receive the award, at least 500 people had to be registered. Among its owners was Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, who led the counters in the Serpukhov district of the Moscow province (he himself wrote that he was “something like a boatswain” or “company commander”). On January 11, 1897, he told his impressions to the publisher A.S. Suvorin: “We have a census. The enumerators were given disgusting inkwells, disgusting, clumsy signs that looked like beer factory labels, and briefcases that didn’t fit census forms - and it was as if a saber wouldn’t fit into its sheath. Shame. In the morning I walk around the huts, out of habit, I hit my head on the lintels, and as if on purpose, my head cracks like hell; and migraine and influenza...” And on January 18, in a letter to the doctor and public figure P.F. Iordanov, the writer reported: “Census, census and census, all the time and all the people are busy with the census, and my piano is all littered with sheets A and B. Counters keep asking for explanations, I lecture them."
In St. Petersburg, many members of P. P. Semenov’s family took part in the census. The entire Vasilievsky Island was served by their family: Pyotr Petrovich with his sons Valery and Izmail took over the first (“most intelligent” plot), Veniamin Petrovich – the second, and Dmitry Petrovich – the third.
Based on lists of populated areas and household plots, the country's territory was divided into census areas. Cities with a population of up to 20 thousand inhabitants constituted one section. In rural areas, no more than 30 thousand people lived on the site. Basically, they corresponded to the areas of zemstvo commanders. In those areas where these positions were not introduced, peace intermediaries and officials of the district presences for peasant affairs (as persons familiar with local conditions) were involved in the work. The reports of many provincial commissions assessed their activities very positively. Since they had officials of the volost and rural administration subordinate to them, it was possible to resolve issues of distributing populated areas between census takers, providing supplies, etc. A.P. Chekhov, however, did not share this point of view. In a letter to A.S. Suvorin on February 8, 1897, he said: “The census takers worked excellently, pedantically to the point of being ridiculous... But the zemstvo chiefs, who were entrusted with the census in the districts, behaved disgustingly. They did nothing, understood little, and in the most difficult moments they found themselves sick. The best of them turned out to be a drinker and a liar... the rest, the devil knows how colorless, and how annoying it is to deal with them.”
The census was carried out as of the morning of that same “sober” January 28, 1897. In reality, it lasted about three weeks. The distribution of forms and their preliminary filling began no less than 20 days before the “X-hour” in rural areas and 10 days in cities. The size of enumeration areas in cities was approximately 150 apartments (about 750 people), in rural areas - 400 households (an average of 2 thousand people). On the day, the enumerators managed to cover 20–25 households, depending on personal energy and experience, the distance between villages, and also on the “degree of development of the local population.”
In cities and estates, it was planned to use the self-counting method (in which the owners and tenants of the premises made entries in the census forms, the enumerators only had to check their contents), and in rural areas - the survey method (the forms were filled out from the words of the residents). But it turned out that the population could not count on filling out information even in cities; most of the entries were made by the enumerators themselves.
On January 28, counters did not make a second round in the counties. The sheets they filled out were checked at village meetings. In the cities, a second round of all households was carried out. Correction of materials for the critical moment of the census was completed within three days in rural areas and two days in urban areas. Having received the first copies of the census forms from the enumerators, the heads of the census areas began checking them and compiling the second copies. They had to complete this work within 20 days. In order to be on time, they hired hired copyists, who, due to the small amount of payment (1-2 kopecks per sheet), often allowed negligence in their work. After this, the census materials were sent to the CSK.
Data for each person had to be entered on a punched card and counted using electric adding machines rented from the American statistician and inventor Herman Hollerith. According to the contract, his company provided Russia with 35 cars, which were to be returned to the United States by the beginning of the next census (by April 3, 1900). Already when processing the first batches of census forms, it became clear that the work was unproductive: the head of the department, V.D. Alenitsyn (whose interests were zoology and geography) “did not master the idea of machines,” and they worked under his supervision, “as they wanted and what they wanted.” . Its inconsistency was discovered when a representative of the inventor of the machines, Fletcher, arrived in St. Petersburg, after which he was removed from the development of materials. But in the future, since “poorly educated young ladies” worked in the marking departments, the results were summed up mainly manually.
The program for publishing census results was repeatedly discussed and reduced. According to the manager of the Central Committee N.A. Troinitsky, since there were not even ¼ of correctly compiled census forms, detailed development should be avoided. In April 1898, several editors of the CSK compiled a “Note” in which they assessed the reliability of the data at their disposal. The information from the first three points of the census form did not cause any comments from them. The completion of points 4, 5, 7, 8 and 11 was considered satisfactory by them. The content of point 6 turned out to be reliable only for the rural population, points 9 and 10 revealed “extreme diversity in information”, when filling out point 12 the spoken language was often taken as the native language, and vague indications were entered in point 14. Thus, the first general census provided reliable data on the family distribution of the population and less accurate data on its age, religious, and professional composition. As a result, by decision of a Special Meeting chaired by Comrade Minister of Internal Affairs P. N. Durnovo, many tables that were originally supposed to be published were excluded from the publication program.
In 1897, two collections were published: “Population of the Empire according to the census of January 28, 1897 by district. 1st issue" and "City population according to the census of January 28, 1897, 2nd issue." This was only preliminary data; there were many discrepancies in it. The main results were published in 1899–1905. in separate volumes (89 volumes, 119 books) by province and region.
The next population census was planned for 1915, but did not take place due to the outbreak of the First World War.
The history of the census in Russia includes several periods, during which census takers were interested in completely different issues.
The beginning of population registration on the territory of Russia was laid by the Kiev and Novgorod principalities in the 9th century. Accounting was kept for tax purposes.
From the second half of the 13th century, during the period of the Mongol-Tatar yoke, population censuses were carried out in individual Russian principalities to determine the amount of tribute. The same goals were pursued by censuses in the Transcaucasus in the 70s. XIII century.
Accounting at that time was economic: houses or “smoke” were taken into account for taxation. In the 14th century, the object of taxation became land plots used productively in the economy - "plow" (later - "quarter", "tithe"). The so-called soshnoe letter was compiled, the results of the descriptions were entered into the scribe books. In the 17th century, the unit of taxation became the yard, and the main form of accounting was household censuses.
In 1718, Peter the Great issued a decree that ordered “to take fairy tales from everyone (give them a year’s time), so that the truthful ones would bring how many male souls they have in each village.” The lists compiled in this way ("fairy tales") were collected only three years later, and then over the next three years they were subjected to verification - "revision". Since then, population records in Russia began to be called “audits of the taxable population” or simply “audits.” Such audits were carried out for almost a century and a half, until the abolition of serfdom.
In total, ten revisions took place in Russia, the last one in 1857-1860. After the abolition of serfdom, population censuses began to be carried out in individual cities and even entire provinces, but many of them were government police “population censuses”, in which information was simply collected from householders about the number of residents not even living, but registered in their houses. At least 200 such local censuses were carried out, but the materials of many of them were not published, and for some nothing is known beyond the year of the census. The population data obtained in this way did not meet the statistical requirements regarding certain characteristics of the population needed for government justification and scientific research.
The first and only general census of the Russian Empire was carried out in February 1897. It was initiated by the outstanding Russian scientist Pyotr Semenov-Tyan-Shansky. This census represents the only source of reliable data on the size and composition of the Russian population at the end of the 19th century.
According to the Central Statistical Committee, 124 million 640 thousand lived in the Russian Empire. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of them, namely 85%, were rural residents, 15% were urban residents.
The first Soviet population census was carried out in 1920 in conditions of civil war and devastation. The census covered only 72% of the country's population, since military operations were still ongoing in a number of areas of the country. In 1923, a population census was carried out in cities and towns simultaneously with a census of industrial and commercial enterprises.
The entire population of the country was first covered by the first All-Union Population Census in December 1926. During its preparation, outstanding statisticians Vasily Mikhailovsky and Olympius Kvitkin developed scientific principles that formed the basis of both this and subsequent population censuses.
The next census was carried out in January 1937. The preparation and conduct of this census occurred during the Stalinist repressions. The census results differed from previously published greatly exaggerated estimates of the country's population. The organizers of the census and many heads of state statistics throughout the country were declared enemies of the people and repressed. The organization of the census was considered unsatisfactory, its materials were defective, and the census data were not made public (foreign sources cited a figure of 170.6 million people).
In January 1939, a new All-Union census was carried out, which was recognized as “successful”. For the first time, the permanent and existing population was taken into account throughout the country, and control forms were introduced. The country's population was 190.7 million people, including urban - 32%), rural - 68%. The outbreak of war prevented the complete processing of materials.
The first post-war census was carried out in January 1959. In terms of the organization and content of the collected data, it was practically no different from the previous one. Census data served as the basis for subsequent calculations of the size and composition of the population. The total population of the USSR was 208.8 million people. The share of the urban population is 48%, rural - 52%.
The next census took place in 1970. In organizational and methodological terms, it corresponded to the two previous ones (1939 and 1959), but much more data was obtained. For the first time in the practice of Soviet censuses, in order to save time and money, some of the information was obtained by interviewing not all, but only 25% of the residents. A number of technical innovations were used when processing census materials. Its data have been widely used for socio-economic planning and the development of long-term economic forecasts. The total population according to the census is 241.7 million, urban - 56%, rural - 44%.
The organization and processing of the 1979 population census materials differed significantly from previous ones. For the first time in the practice of Soviet statistics, records made during the survey were entered into an electronic computer (computer) using special reading devices and recorded on magnetic tape. New questions were added, and the wording of some others was clarified. The census provided extensive information about changes in population composition, which was subsequently widely used. The result of the census is 262.4 million people, the share of the urban population is 62%, rural - 38%.
The last census in the USSR was carried out in January 1989 through a survey at the place of actual residence of citizens. Its distinctive feature was that for the first time, along with information about the population, information was collected on the living conditions of various socio-demographic groups of the population in all regions of the country, on the development of housing cooperation, on the degree of provision of housing for people and its improvement. This made it possible to obtain information about the living conditions of various socio-demographic groups of the population in all regions of the country, about the development of housing cooperation, about the degree of provision of housing for people and its improvement.
The census program contained 25 questions, some of which were taken into account selectively. Compared to the previous population census, new questions were included about place of birth, graduation from a vocational educational institution, living conditions, and the wording of some other questions was changed. The development of census materials in full was completed by the end of 1990. The country's population in 1989 was 286.7 million people, including the urban population - 66%, rural - 34%.
The All-Russian Census of 2002 was the first population census in the new Russia. It was held under the motto “Write yourself into the history of Russia.” The census was carried out as of October 9, filling out census forms took place from October 9 to October 16. The population census was carried out for the first time on the basis of a legislative act - the Federal Law "On the All-Russian Population Census" dated January 25, 2002 No. 8-FZ.
Previous censuses were financed exclusively from the federal budget, but the costs of the 2002 census were divided among budgets of all levels. The issue of forming census personnel had to be addressed in a new way. During the Soviet period, census workers were allocated by enterprises under the orders of party bodies. In 2002, about 670 thousand freelance workers from the non-working population were trained. In large cities, the emphasis was on students, the unemployed, social security workers, and public utility workers. In small settlements - for the rural intelligentsia. When studying marital status, for the first time during the population census, information was collected on the number of unregistered marriages (the so-called civil marriage).
At the 2002 census, the permanent population of the Russian Federation was 145.2 million people, of which 106.4 million people (or 73%) were urban residents, and 38.8 million people (or 27%) lived in rural areas. Compared to the 1989 census, the population decreased by 1.8 million people, including those living in urban areas - by 1.6 million people, in rural areas - by 0.2 million people.
Since the data from the last census of 2002 is already outdated, and officials need updated information to draw up social programs, the government of the Russian Federation decided to conduct the next All-Russian population census in October 2010. The purpose of the new census is to obtain information necessary for the formation of the state budget, the allocation of funds for pensions, health care, education, the construction of roads and housing, and the solution of many other social and economic problems.
To the question: When did the first population census take place? given by the author Oksana Voronina the best answer is The first population censuses in their modern sense were conducted in 1790. in the USA, 1800 in Sweden and Finland, 1801 in England, Denmark, Norway and France. A special place in the history of censuses is occupied by the Belgian population census conducted in 1846 under the leadership of Adolphe Quetelet, which was based on the principle of counting the current population at a critical moment. Thus, the principles of modern methodology and ideology of population censuses mainly developed in the middle of the 19th century.
However, it should be noted that population censuses in their modern sense were preceded by various types of population censuses, often similar in appearance or form to modern censuses. Thus, according to the Encyclopedic Dictionary of Population, various kinds of lists and records of the population were kept for fiscal and administrative purposes in the ancient states of Asia and Africa back in the 3rd millennium BC. e. Censuses, or rather events for general population registration, are mentioned in the Bible in the book of Numbers and the book of Judges.
It is known that in the Roman Empire there were lists of citizens by class and regular qualifications were carried out, which consisted of compiling and updating lists of citizens. In particular, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ will coincide with one of these qualifications, and Mary and Joseph were forced to travel from the city of Nazareth to Bethlehem to enroll in the books there.
Medieval Europe also knows examples of events similar to the population census. The most famous example here is the compilation of the so-called “Domesday Book” in 1086 by William the Conqueror, after his subjugation of the Kingdom of England.
Russia has a wealth of experience in the practice of population registration, the history of which is very interesting. Due to lack of time, I will allow myself to dwell only very briefly on a review of those forms of it that, in their ideology, are closest to the population census.
Although the Demographic Encyclopedic Dictionary and the Encyclopedic Dictionary “Population” indicate that the beginning of population registration in our country dates back to the 9th century, I was unable to find any indication of historical documents confirming such an early dating. Probably a more reasonable point of view is that the beginning of more or less organized population accounting in Rus' dates back to the middle of the 13th century, and is associated with the need to pay the so-called Horde exit, or, more simply, tribute to the Mongol conquerors. The Chronicle says: “The accursed have devoured the entire Russian land, but nothing like the abbots.” According to I. N. Miklashevsky, the Mongols conducted population censuses in the Russian land at least four times: in 1246 in southern Rus', in 1255-1259. , in Suzdal land, in 1257-1259. , and in 1273, in the Novgorod region.
Source:
Reply from rush[active]
The first population change occurred in ancient Egypt
Reply from Sergey Savchenko[guru]
On February 9 (January 28, old style), 1897, the first and only General Census of the Russian Empire was carried out. It was initiated by the outstanding Russian scientist Pyotr Petrovich Semenov-Tyan-Shansky.
1926 first population census of the USSR
Reply from First class[guru]
Under Peter the Great
Reply from I-beam[guru]
The first full census took place in 1790 in the United States.
A population census is a scientifically organized operation of collecting data on the size and composition of the population, summarizing, assessing, analyzing and publishing demographic, economic and social data about the entire population living at a certain point in time in a country or a clearly limited part of it.
The history of the census in Russia includes several periods, during which census takers were interested in completely different issues.
The beginning of population registration on the territory of Russia was laid by the Kiev and Novgorod principalities in the 9th century. Accounting was carried out for fiscal purposes, that is, for taxation.
From the second half of the 13th century, during the period of the Mongol-Tatar yoke, population censuses were carried out in individual Russian principalities to determine the amount of tribute. The same goals were pursued by censuses in the Transcaucasus in the 70s of the 13th century.
Accounting at that time was economic: houses or “smoke” were taken into account for taxation, then the object of taxation in the 14th century became land plots productively used in the economy - plow (later - quarter, tithe). The so-called soshnoe letter was compiled, the results of the descriptions were entered into the scribe books. In the 17th century, the unit of taxation became the yard, and the main form of accounting was household censuses.
In 1718, Peter the Great issued a decree that ordered “to take fairy tales from everyone (give them a year’s time), so that the truthful ones would bring how many male souls they have in each village.” The lists compiled in this way ("fairy tales") were collected only three years later, and then over the next three years they were subjected to verification - "revision". Since then, population records in Russia began to be called “audits of the taxable population” or simply “audits.” Such audits were carried out for almost a century and a half, until the abolition of serfdom. In total, ten revisions took place in Russia, the last one in 1857-1860. These audits lasted for several years and were very inaccurate, since they did not take into account the actual number of residents, but only those “assigned” from the tax-paying classes, i.e. people included in the lists for paying taxes. The landowners were in no hurry to submit the next revision “fairy tale”, so many of the dead were listed as alive.
After the abolition of serfdom, population censuses began to be carried out in individual cities and even entire provinces, but many of them were government police “population censuses”, in which information was simply collected from householders about the number of residents not even living, but registered in their houses.
At least two hundred such local censuses were carried out, but the materials of many of them were not published, and for some nothing is known except the year of the census.
Population data obtained in this way did not meet the statistical requirements regarding certain characteristics of the population needed for government justification and scientific research.
The first and only general census of the Russian Empire was carried out in February 1897. It was initiated by the outstanding Russian scientist Pyotr Semenov-Tyan-Shansky. This census represents the only source of reliable data on the size and composition of the Russian population at the end of the 19th century.
According to the Central Statistical Committee, 124 million 640 thousand people lived in the Russian Empire. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of them, namely 85%, were rural residents, 15% were urban residents.
The first Soviet population census was carried out in 1920 in conditions of civil war and devastation. The census covered only 72% of the country's population, since military operations were still ongoing in a number of areas of the country. In 1923, a population census was carried out in cities and towns simultaneously with a census of industrial and commercial enterprises.
The entire population of the country was first covered by the first All-Union Population Census in December 1926. During its preparation, outstanding statisticians Vasily Mikhailovsky and Olympius Kvitkin developed scientific principles that formed the basis for both this and subsequent population censuses.
The 1926 census was distinguished not only by its well-thought-out method of obtaining information, but also by the wealth of data collected, especially on the social composition of the population and families. Its total population was 147 million people, the rural population was 82%, the urban population was 18%.
The next census was carried out in January 1937. The preparation and conduct of this census occurred during the rampant Stalinist repressions. The organizers of the census and many heads of state statistics throughout the country were declared enemies of the people and repressed. The census results differed from previously published greatly exaggerated estimates of the country's population. Therefore, the organization of the census was considered unsatisfactory, its materials were defective, and the census data were not made public (foreign sources cited a figure of 170.6 million people).
In January 1939, a new All-Union Census was conducted, which was recognized as “successful”. For the first time, the permanent and existing population was taken into account throughout the country, and control forms were introduced. The country's population was 190.7 million people, including urban - 32%, rural - 68%. The outbreak of war prevented the complete processing of materials.
The first post-war census was carried out in January 1959. In terms of the organization and content of the collected data, it was practically no different from the previous one. Census data served as the basis for subsequent calculations of the size and composition of the population. The total population of the USSR was 208.8 million people. The share of the urban population is 48%, rural - 52%.
The next census took place in 1970. In organizational and methodological terms, it corresponded to the two previous ones (1939 and 1959), but much more data was obtained. For the first time in the practice of Soviet censuses, in order to save time and money, some of the information was obtained by interviewing not all, but only 25% of the residents. A number of technical innovations were used when processing census materials. Its data have been widely used for socio-economic planning and the development of long-term economic forecasts. The total population according to the census is 241.7 million, urban - 56%, rural - 44%.
The organization and processing of the 1979 census materials differed significantly from previous ones. For the first time in the practice of Soviet statistics, records made during a survey were entered into a computer using special reading devices and recorded on magnetic tape. New questions were added, and the wording of some others was clarified. The census provided extensive information about changes in population composition, which was subsequently widely used. The result of the census is 262.4 million people, the share of the urban population is 62%, rural - 38%.
The last census in the USSR was carried out in January 1989 through a survey at the place of actual residence of citizens. Its distinctive feature was that for the first time, along with information about the population, information was collected on the living conditions of various socio-demographic groups of the population in all regions of the country, on the development of housing cooperation, on the degree of provision of housing for people and its improvement. This made it possible to obtain information about the living conditions of various socio-demographic groups of the population in all regions of the country, about the development of housing cooperation, about the degree of provision of housing for people and its improvement.
The census program contained 25 questions, some of which were taken into account selectively. Compared to the previous population census, new questions were included about place of birth, graduation from a vocational educational institution, living conditions, and the wording of some other questions was changed.
The full development of census materials was completed by the end of 1990.
The country's population in 1989 was 286.7 million people, including the urban population - 66%, rural - 34%.
The 2002 All-Russian Census was the first population census in the new Russia. It was held under the motto “Write yourself into the history of Russia.” The census was carried out as of October 9, filling out census forms took place from October 9 to October 16. The population census was carried out for the first time on the basis of a legislative act - the Federal Law "On the All-Russian Population Census" dated January 25, 2002 No. 8-FZ.
Previous censuses were financed exclusively from the federal budget, but the costs of the 2002 census were divided among budgets of all levels. The issue of forming census personnel had to be addressed in a new way. During the Soviet period, census workers were allocated by enterprises under the orders of party bodies. In 2002, about 670 thousand freelance workers from the non-working population were trained. In large cities, the emphasis was on students, the unemployed, social security workers, and public utility workers. In small settlements - for the rural intelligentsia.
All citizens of the Russian Federation, as well as citizens of foreign countries who were on the territory of Russia, took part in the census.
When studying marital status, for the first time during the population census, information was collected on the number of unregistered marriages (the so-called civil marriage).
During the 2002 census, the population could indicate all their sources of livelihood, unlike the previous census, when no more than two sources were identified from the population.
At the 2002 census, the permanent population of the Russian Federation was 145.2 million people, of which 106.4 million people (or 73%) were urban residents, and 38.8 million people (or 27%) lived in rural areas. Compared to the 1989 census, the population decreased by 1.8 million people, including those living in urban areas - by 1.6 million people, in rural areas - by 0.2 million people.
The next All-Russian census will take place from October 14 to October 25, 2010.
Data on numbers, density, fertility, mortality, physical activity and others.
2018
Preliminary results of the 2018 Trial Population Census
According to a report dated November 13, 2018, the 2018 trial population census became the largest and most unusual trial census in Russia. At its first stage, which took place from October 1 to October 10, 2018 throughout the country, a fundamentally different method of collecting information about the population was tested - respondents independently filled out electronic census forms on the Unified Portal of State Services (Gosuslugi.ru). More than 1.2 million Russian residents who have a verified account on the Gosuslugi.ru portal took part in the digital census.
| The population liked the experimental Internet census, as evidenced by positive reviews from respondents on the Gosuslugi.ru portal. In turn, we are convinced that the use of digital technologies allows us to significantly save public funds. In addition, the reaction of the country's residents to the use of Internet technologies allowed us to take a different look at the procedure for conducting population censuses. “The Internet census gave us ideas about how to simplify the questions on census forms and formulate them more clearly. More than half a million residents of the country took part in the second stage of PPN-2018, which took place from October 16 to 31 in 10 pilot districts. According to the head of Rosstat, the experience gained by census takers using tablet computers was positive. In addition to drawing up the census taker’s route and simplifying the procedure for interviewing respondents, the use of laptop computers made it possible to significantly speed up the process of transferring the received primary data. “]]The software]] of our tablet computers is quite effective to use, easy to train census takers, and there are no doubts about its use. |
The idea of using Multifunctional Centers for the provision of state and municipal services (MFC), proposed by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and municipal authorities, turned out to be successful. At the MFC, residents of the country can access the Gosuslugi.ru portal.
In addition, it is necessary to stimulate the participation of domestic respondents in population censuses and expand the number of people using the Internet for these purposes, the head of Rosstat noted.
As Surinov noted, hard-to-reach regions were included in the pilot areas of the PPN-2018, in which Rosstat conducted the census in the usual timeframe - in October. “But this required significant additional costs for transport, so we will discuss the feasibility of this practice. A report on the 2018 Trial Population Census and proposals for optimizing the organizational and technological scheme of the 2020 All-Russian Population Census of 2020 will be generated in November 2018, and the results of the PPN-2018 will be published in the first quarter of 2019.
The 2018 pilot census is entering the home stretch
On October 27, 2018, census takers will complete 100% of the residential surveys in the Trial Census areas. From October 28 to October 31, a selective control walk-through of residential premises will be carried out in these areas to check the quality of the census takers’ work and the correctness of the population count, TAdviser was told on October 26, 2018 in Russian Post.
For four days of control walks in the areas of the Trial Census - the Elbrus municipal district of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, the Khangalassky ulus municipal district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Aleutsky municipal district of the Kamchatka Territory, the city of Minusinsk of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Nizhneudinsky and Katangsky municipal districts of the Irkutsk region , the city of Veliky Novgorod, the urban-type settlement of Yuzhno-Kurilsk in the Sakhalin Region, the Sviblovo district of the North-East Administrative District of Moscow and the municipal district of Knyazhevo of St. Petersburg - census takers, together with an instructor or field level inspector, will visit 10% of residential premises.
During the control round, the correctness of the population count will be checked: whether there are any missing or erroneously recorded people. To do this, it will be clarified how many people in the room were enumerated, and the presence of records about them in the appropriate forms of census documents will be verified. If necessary, corrections can be made to the census forms. At the first stage of the Trial Population Census - from October 1 to October 10 - any resident of Russia with a confirmed account on the Unified Portal of State Services (Gosuslugi.ru) could enumerate independently by filling out electronic census forms for themselves and their family members on the Internet.
The second stage of the Trial Census takes place from October 16 to 27. Residents of the areas where the Trial Census was conducted, who registered online, can provide the census taker with the received census confirmation code on the Internet for verification. Those who did not enumerate in the first stage and do not want to allow a census taker into their home in the second stage can take a trial census in census tracts located in the areas of the 2018 trial census.
In the Moscow district of Sviblovo, the Khangalassky ulus of Yakutia, the Nizhneudinsky district of the Irkutsk region and part of the Veliky Novgorod urban district, employees of the Russian Post are registering the population. The Post's logistics infrastructure is used to deliver census forms, census equipment, and consumables to these areas.
Rosstat raised the forecast for the trial electronic census
| Regarding some optimistic or pessimistic assessment [of the number of expected participants in the electronic census]. We conducted surveys, conducted focus groups, and analyzed the experience of other countries. Our initial minimum estimate was 10%. Judging by how IT is breaking into our lives, we roughly calculated that we could raise this bar to 20%. Moreover, we are not talking about today, but about 2020. Therefore, for the test census, we urge the entire population [to participate] in order to assess whether we have very optimistic moods or, on the contrary, we are too much pessimists,” emphasized Alexander Surinov . |
The 2018 trial population census is being carried out to develop an optimal organizational and technological scheme for conducting the 2020 All-Russian Population Census, which involves combining various methods of collecting information about the population. Based on the results of the trial population census, recommendations will be developed to optimize budget expenditures for the 2020 All-Russian Population Census, taking into account the introduction of new methods of collecting information about the population.
The data collection and processing system created for the 2020 All-Russian Population Census will become one of the components of the National Data Management System (NDMS). In the future, this system should ensure complete digitalization of the process of collecting and processing data based on unified methodological and technological approaches.
The 2018 trial population census will take place from October 1 to October 31 in two stages: the first will be all-Russian, the second will be local and will affect 10 districts in nine constituent entities of the Russian Federation. At the first, federal, stage of the preliminary census, any resident of Russia who has a confirmed account on this portal will be able to fill out census forms on the government services portal from October 1 to October 10. In 10 pilot districts, respondents who filled out census forms on the Internet will receive unique census confirmation codes - they will be needed at the second, local stage of the census.
From October 16 to October 31, in 10 pilot districts in nine constituent entities of the Russian Federation, census takers will carry out door-to-door visits: from October 16 to October 27 - 100 percent, and from October 28 to October 31 - selective control visits to 10% of residential premises. In addition, residents will be given the opportunity to register at stationary sites. Respondents from 10 pilot districts who have already registered on the government services portal will only need to provide the census taker with the previously received confirmation code for verification.
A trial census of Russians will be held on the Internet
As part of the Trial Census, which will take place in October 2018, for the first time Russians will be able to fill out a questionnaire via the Internet, CNews reported on May 31, 2018. This can be done directly on the government services portal during the first stage of the event from October 1 to October 10. The government previously made adjustments to the regulatory framework necessary for the operation of this service. The event is preparatory to the All-Russian Population Census planned by Rosstat for 2020.
After filling out the form on the government services portal, the citizen will receive a confirmation code for participation in the census by email or SMS. At the same time, a citizen will be able to fill out the document for all family members - codes for confirming participation in the census will be sent to everyone.
Meanwhile, the question of whether citizens will need to provide the consent of other persons for their relative to fill out questionnaires for them has not yet been worked out. The possibility of participating in the census through regional government service portals has not yet been implemented - the issue is being studied by Rosstat together with the Ministry of Digital Development.
The population census in the traditional way will take place in certain territories of a number of Russian regions. Including in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novgorod, Irkutsk and Sakhalin regions, the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Yakutia, Krasnoyarsk and Kamchatka territories.
At the second stage, from October 11 to October 15, 2018, a list of residents of the territories who have already completed the survey via the Internet will be compiled. At the third stage - from October 16 to October 31, 2018 - a survey of citizens will again take place, but in the traditional way. In this case, the census taker may ask to see a code confirming the fact of participation in the census online.
In addition, during the trial census they plan to allow census takers to use tablets, but only in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Veliky Novgorod. Devices will not be purchased. Instead, tablets will be used that were previously used during the Micro-Census in 2015 and the All-Russian Agricultural Census in 2016. In total, Rosstat will be able to accumulate 25 thousand - 30 thousand tablets.
Some census takers will also be armed with paper questionnaires. They are needed as a backup option and for citizens who want to see a record of answers to questions asked of them.
Special software for conducting surveys will be installed on the tablets, which has not yet been developed: Rosstat, together with the Ministry of Digital Development, is completing the formation of the corresponding competition task. Future software must be domestically produced and have information security certificates from FSTEC.
Half a billion for the census
The state allocated 484.6 million rubles. for the development of a system for preparing, conducting, processing materials and obtaining results of the All-Russian population census in 2018.
This amount appears as the starting price of the contract in the tender of the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), launched on March 16, 2018. Applications from applicants will be accepted until April 6, 2018.
Purpose of the system
The automated Rosstat system discussed here is officially designed for preparing, conducting, processing information about the population and obtaining the results of all-Russian population censuses, including trial censuses and even so-called microcensuses.
As stated in the tender documents, the system is a single software and hardware complex that combines tools for performing work at the stages of preparation, conduct, and processing of census information, including scanning and recognition of machine-readable forms, data entry via the Internet, tablet computers and smartphones. carrying out coding and formal logical control, creating a census database, obtaining final tables, as well as “other operations necessary for monitoring all stages of the census,” the authors of the procurement note.
Scope of work
It follows from the tender documents that the future contractor will have to develop the software already existing in the system to update the list of addresses written in it, prepare software for collecting the necessary data, to organize the collection of information about the population, to “implement methods for supplementing and analyzing statistical data on the population of Russia in based on geoanalytical data in the preparation and conduct of the 2020 census, etc.
2017
A trial population census using electronic questionnaires will be held in Russia
Main stage
It is planned that the main stage of the population census in 2020 will be held for the first time using a new methodology: citizens will be able to independently fill out the form via the Internet. This “will ensure more complete participation of the population in the census and obtain high-quality results” and “form a new, operational format of communication with the population,” representatives of the regulator and experts are confident.
"Electronic Census"
The “electronic” census will be carried out on a special state portal, which can be accessed from the official website of the department or through the government services portal. Identification in the system is planned to be carried out by the insurance number of an individual personal account (SNILS), it will also be possible to indicate an email and telephone number.
