Methodological aspects of the 1984 Hungarian microcensus

Abstract

Since the 1960s it has become an established practice to perform microcensuses between population censuses. Prior to the latest survey on 1 October 1984, the Central Statistical Office had carried out microcensuses three times: twice between 1960 and 1970 and once between 1970 and 1980. The microcensus of 1984 differed from the previous ones in respect of its method which, to a certain extent already pointed to the future. For the first time, on the basis of designated addresses, available personal data had been preprinted from the register of the National Population Registration Office of Hungary and enumerators visiting the population had the thus prepared questionnaires already in their hands. In October and November 1984, almost simultaneously with the microcensus, a trial population census was held in the county of Gyór. One of the major aims of this trial census was to establish what practical results could be obtained from the use and print-out of data stored in the data base of the National Population Registration Office and from conducting the survey with the help of such preprinted questionnaires for future population censuses.