Czech census begins, but online form is currently unavailable

The 2021 population census has started in the Czech Republic as of this morning, but the online form on its official website does not work and the service is temporarily unavailable due to high server load.

The Czech Statistical Office apologized for the temporary unavailability of the electronic census form. It said it was working on making it available soon.

The census was officially launched today and will run through May 11.

From March 27 to April 9, an online form can be filled out on the website or in the Sčítání 2021 mobile app.

Those who do not enter their information online will be able to fill in traditional paper forms between April 17 and May 11. They can be picked up in post offices, and Czech Statistical Office field workers will deliver them directly to homes.

Data on houses and apartments are entered for each household. Information includes floor size, number of rooms, and number of floors. Statisticians will also determine whether the housing has gas connection and a kitchen or kitchenette.

Among personal information, people must submit their place of residence, occupation, school, and way of commuting.

Work and studies have been immensely affected by the current anti-epidemic restrictions. Most students take part in distance learning and do not go to school, and adults often work from home offices.

However, statisticians point out that people should answer according to the usual situation of their occupation and studies, not to the temporary changes over the lockdown.

The form also includes questions about religious faith and nationality, but answers are not mandatory.

Along with Czech, the online census forms are available in English, German, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese and Romani languages.

Participation in the population census, held in the country once in ten years, is mandatory for all inhabitants of the Czech Republic. Czechs living abroad must submit their data, too, if they have permanent residence in the Czech Republic.

Foreigners living in the Czech Republic are also required to complete the 2021 census. See our article here for information on how to do so.