To understand the characteristics of the size, distribution and structure of population and
housing; to provide data required for establishing various policies
To provide sampling frame for various household-related surveys
Sector of statistical use: Population
Frequency
Annual
Target Population
As of the reference date, all Korean and foreign residents residing within Korean territory
and their residences (including empty houses)
Coverage: The nation
Survey Reference Period and Date
Reference date: Nov. 1 of the year ~ May 31 of the following year
Reference time: Nov. 1 (0:00 am)
History
Oct. 1, 1925: Simple National Census
The first Population Census
Oct. 1, 1930: Joseon National Census
Economic activities of occupation, etc. included for the first time
Oct. 1, 1935: Joseon National Census
Oct. 1, 1940: National Census
May 1, 1944: Simple National Census
May 1, 1949: Population Census
Changed the title of survey (Simple National Census → Population Census)
Included details of internal migration for the first time
Sep. 1, 1955: Simple Population Census
Dec. 1, 1960: National Population and Housing Census
Changed the title to「National Population and Housing Census」by including details
related to housing for the first time with the support from UN Statistics Agency
20% sample collection of details related to economic activities and fertility
Established the concept of labor force
June 1962: Approval of statistical production
Oct. 1, 1966: Population Census
Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (economic activities and fertility)
Oct. 1, 1970: Population and Housing Census
Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (details of economic activities,
fertility, internal migration and housing)
Oct. 1, 1975: Population and Housing Census
Joint administration of 5% sampling survey (details of economic activities,
fertility, internal migration and housing)
Nov. 1, 1980: Population and Housing Census
Changed the reference date of survey (Oct.1 → Nov.1)
Joint administration of 15% sampling survey (economic activities, fertility and
internal migration)
Nov. 1, 1985: Population and Housing Census
Administration of complete survey of all the items
Survey of the items on surname, family origin and religion
Nov. 1, 1990: Population and Housing Census
Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (details of economic activities,
fertility, internal migration, commuting and attending school and households)
Introduced OMR system of data input
Nov. 1, 1995: Population and Housing Census
Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (details of economic activities,
commuting and attending school, internal migration and households)
Administered survey on empty houses by using empty house questionnaires
Nov. 1, 2000: Population and Housing Census
Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (details of economic activities,
internal migration, the aged, informatization and households)
Introduced input methods by respondents for apartment areas
Introduced input method by local PC
Nov. 1, 2005: Population and Housing Census
Joint administration of 10% sampling survey (details of economic activities,
internal migration, commuting & attending school, low fertility rate, the aged
and a part of households)
Change in survey periods and workload of surveyors: change from the 10-day-long
survey to the 15-day-long survey, and adjustment of workload per surveyor
Introduced a Web-based input system
Introduced an Internet-based survey system
Introduced training programs through the cyber space
Focused on low fertility rate, ageing and quality of residence
Nov. 1, 2010: Population and Housing Census
Expansion of the Internet-based survey (0.9% → 30% target)
Replacement of the item of apartment housing with administrative data
Selection of the items related to low carbon, green growth; environment-friendly
questionnaires and supplies
2-step survey system: Internet survey → face-to-face interview
Efficient data entering method by ICR input method
Efficient contents reviewing by using the E&I (Editing & Imputation) system
Survey items: 19 items for complete survey; 31 for sample survey (including 3 for
cities and provinces)
Nov. 1, 2015: Population and Housing Census
As for the complete enumeration, 24 kinds of administrative data of 13 agencies are
used as a register census.
As for the sample enumeration, the Internet survey and face-to-face interview are
carried out.
Nov. 1, 2016: Population and Housing Census
As for the complete enumeration, 25 kinds of administrative data of 14 agencies are
used as a register census.
Nov. 1, 2017: Population and Housing Census
As for the complete enumeration, 25 kinds of administrative data of 14 agencies are
used as a register census.
Nov. 1, 2018: Population and Housing Census
As for the complete enumeration, 25 kinds of administrative data of 14 agencies are
used as a register census.
Nov. 1, 2019: Population and Housing Census
As for the complete enumeration, 25 kinds of administrative data of 14 agencies are
used as a register census.
Nov. 1, 2020: Population and Housing Census
As for the complete enumeration, 25 kinds of administrative data of 14 agencies are
used as a register census.
As for the sample(20%) enumeration, full introduction of electronic
survey(pc,mobile, telephone) and face-to-face interview(using tablet pc) are carried
out.
Survey item
Complete survey (a total of 16 items as of 2020)
Population (8 items): Name, gender, relationship to head of household, nationality,
immigration year and month, residence before 1 year, year of nationality acquisition
Household (2 item): Household type, housing facilaties type
Housing (6 items): Type of living quarters, total floor area for residence, site
area, construction year, number of rooms, number of housing facilaties
Sampling survey (a total of 45 items as of 2020)
Population (31 items): Name, gender, relationship with household head, nationality,
immigration year and month, level of education, child care, limitations on
activities, location of workplace/shcool, type of economic activity, martial status
etc
Household (14 item): Household type, reasons for being a single-person household,
period of living alone, housing facilaties type, animal companion etc
Basic data
Status of resident population / 25 kinds including a resident register and a family
relationship register
Production system
Public and judicial agencies → Ministry of Data and Statistics
Data Provision
Method of Publication and URL
Method of publication: Press releases, Internet, publications
Publication period: Sep. of the following year of the reference year
URL: https://kosis.kr
Publication Frequency
Annual(Complete survey), Once in 5 years(Samlping survey)