Over 815,000 take part in e-census in Estonia

Census questionnaires in the 2011 population and housing census in Estonia were filled out for 815,467 people in the online census that lasted from Dec. 31, 2011 to Feb. 1, 2012, according to data available from the census website. The figure makes up 62 percent of the country's estimated population.

The highest ratios were seen in Tartu County (70 percent) and Harju County (69 percent). In the capital Tallinn, which is part of Harju County, the ratio was 67 percent. The lowest percentage, 45 percent, was posted by the northeastern East-Viru County.

Statistics Estonia has cautioned that the figures at this point are tentative and the data will be put in order in the course of processing to make sure every person is counted only once.

"Interest in the e-census was very high particularly in the final days and today we can say that the people of Estonia made the e-census a success," director general of Statistics Estonia Priit Potisepp said in a press release, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the endeavor.

Statistics Estonia is scheduled to publish an initial account of the e-census on Feb. 6.

The e-census began on Dec. 31 and census questionnaires could be filled out over the internet until 11.59 p.m. on Feb. 1. Residents who did not take part in the online census will be visited by an enumerator during the period from Feb. 16 to March 31.

Baltic News Service