On April 8 in the Republic of Moldova began the Population and Housing Census (PHC).

We thank everyone who supports and promotes this exercise of national importance!

With the intensification of communication about the start of the census, a number of questions and concerns have emerged online among citizens regarding the census process and the questions included in the questionnaire.

We call on all citizens and media sources to inform themselves from official and safe sources, not to fall prey to disinformation. We inform that the staff of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is open to answer any questions through several channels:

• Green line of the census 0800 800 24

• Email where questions related to the census can be asked: rpl2024@statistica.gov.md
• Chatbox on the census page www.statistica.gov.md/RPL2024
• Requests for interviews or reports presa@statistica.gov.md

Detailed and official information about the census can be accessed at:

• Census pagewww.statistica.gov.md/RPL2024
• Latest news on the organization and conduct of the census https://statistica.gov.md/ro/noutati-rpl-2024-10017_60372.html
• Frequently asked questions https://statistica.gov.md/en/questions-and-answers-10023.html https://statistica.gov.md/ro/intrebari-si-raspunsuri-10023.html
• Census myths and forgerieshttps://statistica.gov.md/ro/10-myths-about-census-population-and-housing-2024-from-moldova-10068.html
• Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/statistica.md/
• Youtube page https://www.youtube.com/@StatisticaMD

Below we provide answers to frequently asked questions about census questionnaires online these days. These and more answers are available under Frequently Asked Questions / Census Questionnaire Questions: https://statistica.gov.md/ro/întrebările-din-chestionarele-de-recensământ-10072.html

How were the questions in the census questionnaires developed?

Both the topics and the census variables (questions in the questionnaires) were prepared in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 of Law 231/2022 on population and housing censuses, following also international recommendations, including the 2020 Conference of European Statisticians on Population and Housing Censuses, which reflect international best practices. The 2004 and 2014 census questionnaires were also taken into account to ensure comparability of data with previous censuses.

The questions in the census questionnaires were extensively consulted with interested institutions and civil society, with the consultation process still launched in December 2022 and included several steps. The questionnaires were thus finalised following an extensive process of public consultations. The interim and final results of the public consultations of the census variables and questionnaires were examined by the National Commission for Population and Housing Census 2024. On the basis of Commission Decision No 12 of 15 February 2024, the LPL questionnaires were approved. 

What does midnight between 7 and 8 April 2024 mean? Why is it used in the Census?

According to the normative framework and international standards, any census provides for the collection of data according to the status at a certain reference time/date.

According to Article 6(3) of Law 231/2022 on population and housing censuses: ‘Theinformation recorded in the census shall reflect population and housing characteristics as at 00.00 on the census reference date, which is the first day of the census data collection period.’

Correspondingly, for the MPL 2024 in the Republic of Moldova, the Census 2024 reference time is 00:00 on 8 April 2024. Thus, for all individuals to be reviewed, the data collected in the census questionnaires must refer to this census reference point - a rule applied to all census participants.

We would like to point out that the same approach was applied in the 2014 RPL, as well as in previous censuses.

Thus, for example, the census will not collect data on children born after 00:00, 8 April 2024, who will be present in households at the time of the interview, which can take place on any day of the census period: 8 April – 7 July 2024.

Why is the question ‘Were you present in this dwelling at midnight between 7 and 8 April?’ necessary? (Question 3 of the 3P questionnaire)

It is an initial question, the first in the person’s questionnaire (3P) and is specifically formulated with reference to the reference time of the 2024 LPL. It serves to identify from the outset the persons who will be habitually resident in the place where the interview takes place.

For example, people who moved to this dwelling after 8 April (chose the answer ‘no, I moved to live after 8 April’) are asked about theplace where they were on 8 April (jump from question 3 to question 14 ‘Where were you on 8 April 2024?’) – to attribute habitual residence to another place where they lived predominantly before the date of the interview (questions 15 to 18). 

Thus, we point out that the questions in the questionnaire are particularly important in order to determine precisely the population with habitual residence in the localities of the country – information much requested by local, central public authorities and other users. At the same time, the actual set of questions in the questionnaire that will be addressed to the specific person will depend on whether or not the person has changed his or her place of residence by the reference date of the LPL.

Can citizens refuse to participate in the census, or answer only some of the questions? Will they be punished in this case or not?

According to Article 7 of Law No 231/2022, the participation in the census of the persons subject to the census is mandatory by providing, on their own responsibility, accurate and complete information in accordance with the census questionnaires. On questions related to ethno-cultural characteristics (ethnicity, language, religion) the respondent can choose the option I do not declare. Participating and giving correct answers to the census is not only an obligation, but also a civic act!

How many languages is the questionnaire prepared in?

Census questionnaires have been developed and are available in Romanian, Russian, Gagauz, Ukrainian, Bulgarian and Roman.

More answers to the questions related to the census questionnaires are available on the official website of the NBS, Census 2024 / Frequently Asked Questions / Questions from the census questionnaires: https://statistica.gov.md/en/questions-in-the-census-questions-10072.html.

Other Frequently Asked Questions on the 2024 Population and Housing Census:

Why is the census necessary?

The data collected will be the basis for development projects at local and country level. The census will provide answers to questions such as:

• How will the public budget be distributed among local public authorities?
• How many new schools, kindergartens, nurseries, playgrounds need to be built?
• Where are more hospitals and emergency services needed?
• How to re-plan public transport, etc.?

The census will provide important statistical data for the development and implementation of data-based spatial development policies, depending on population density in certain areas – urban transport planning, kindergartens, schools, hospitals, etc., taking into account that the Moldovan authorities currently do not have data at the level of small areas, including 1 km square grids, due to the fact that population data are not interconnected with their home address.

Will the census data serve to collect taxes on real estate?

Definitely not. The 2024 housing census is NOT intended to collect taxes of any kind from individuals. According to Law 93/2017 and Law 231/2022, the data obtained from the census questionnaires (as in the case of other statistical data) are confidential and used only for statistical purposes, being disseminated (published) only in aggregated form, without the possibility of identifying the persons who submitted the data.

The purpose of collecting data on dwellings in the country is to determine indicators on the standard of living of the population, the occupancy rate of the housing stock, the endowment of dwellings with heating installations, kitchen, sewerage system, bathroom or shower inside the dwelling, etc.

Why are they asking about housing when all this data is already in the Cadastre?

Census data are found only partially in the administrative data sources (registers) held by the authorities and other public institutions of the Republic of Moldova (State Population Register, Register of Real Estate and others).

In addition, unlike administrative records, which refer to the de-jure situation, the census collects data on the de-facto situation in order to provide a more objective picture of the census characteristics.

Thus, the census will provide missing indicators in the sources of the administrative data . At the moment, for example, in our country there are localities where no massive cadastral works are carried out and respectively many dwellings are not registered in the Real Estate Register. At the same time, where massive cadastral works are carried out, only the basic building is recorded. At the same time, the procedures for registering buildings in the Real Estate Register imply a certain degree of completion of constructions and for this reason many of the unfinished individual houses built by individuals are missing in the cadastral database.

At the same time, in about 40% of localities in the country are not assigned addresses, respectively for dwellings in these localities are missing data in the State Register of Addresses.

We point out that personal data collected under the 2024 PHC may NOT be disclosed to any natural or legal person, whether governed by public or private law, including to authorities, law enforcement bodies, etc.

What do we do if the reviewer doesn't find anyone at home?

If the reviewer does not find anyone at home, he will leave in the mailbox, in the gate or at the door a notice of participation in the census, which will contain the contact details of the reviewer to establish together a convenient day and time for the review. The reviewer will make 5 home visits.

What is the reviewer's working hours?

Reviewers do not have a fixed schedule, but a flexible one, depending on the specifics of each activity (student, full-time or part-time employee, housewife, etc.). The interval in which they can review is between 8:00 and 21:00. Predominantly, reviewers will visit households in the evening, between 17.00-21.00, and on rest days, between 8:00-21:00.

Is it mandatory for the enumerators to enter the house?

You are not obliged to leave the reviewer in the house, but do not forget that reviewers have a very hard work, to go from house to house. If you give at least one chair to the reviewer, he will be very grateful to you. If you have concerns or concerns about the reviewer or the census process, you can check the identity of the reviewer on Green Line 0800 800 24.

How is personal data protected?

The information provided by the population in the census is confidential and protected by law (Law 231/2022 and Law 93/2017). These data are used only for statistical purposes (not for tax purposes, etc.), without it being possible to identify individuals. When the questionnaire is completed, the information is transmitted to the server and kept secure. Personal data collected under RPL 2024 may NOT be disclosed to any natural or legal person, whether governed by public or private law. Census data will be published only in generalized form on various characteristics of the population.

In addition to citizens’ questions and concerns, we point out that false and slanderous information on the 2024 Population and Housing Census is emerging, disseminated mainly on social networks.

In order to correctly inform the company about the actual situation regarding the 2024 LPL, the NBS adds to the 10 myths published on the NBS page and other denials, it comes with additional information, to combat defamatory theses:

FALSE 1. Enumeratorswould not have the right to request personal data

The collection of personal data within the RPL 2024 and the obligation of the NBS to ensure the confidentiality and protection of personal data results expressly from the related legal framework: Law No 93/217 on official statistics, Law No 231/2022 on population and housing censuses, Law No 133/2011 on the protection of personal data.

According to the legal provisions stipulated, the data from the population will be collected by the enumerators, who are temporarily employed by the NBS, during the RPL period. They are obliged to ensure the confidentiality of individual data and will fix the responses of the persons reviewed on the tablet electronic device . The data from the tablet will be transferred securely to the server, excluding the physical and technological possibility of being accessible to any unauthorized person.

Enumerators:

1. will be identified by the service card – which is a document of strict record with elements of protection against forgery;
2. wear PHC 2024 identity markings such as: vests and/or T-shirts, caps, bags and tablets with the census logo.

Their identity can be confirmed by calling the Census Green Line at0 800 800 24 (free calls).

False 2.Personal data collected in the census could be disclosed to other individuals and organisations, including the UN

Personal data collected under the 2024 LPR may NOT be disclosed to any natural or legal person, whether governed by public or private law, including international organisations such as the UN, or even to law enforcement bodies such as the police, the prosecutor’s office, the court, etc. (see the prohibitions expressly laid down in Article 4(2)(e), Articles 18 to 20 of Law No 93/2017 on official statistics and Article 14(4) of Law No 231/2022 on population and housing censuses).

False 3. The census questionnaire allegedly contains dubious information regarding personal life

The census questionnaires were prepared in accordance with the provisions of Law 231/2022 on LPL, also taking into account international best practices, including the Recommendations of the Conference of European Statisticians for the 2020 Round of Population and Housing Censuses, Principlesand Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses, Revision 3, UN,Regulation (EC) No 763/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 on population and housing censuses, which were based on the experience gained from hundreds of censuses carried out in all countries of the world.

The questions in the census questionnaires were finalised following an extensive process of public consultations, with the participation of the whole society – those with expertise, who wanted to contribute to the preparation and conduct of the census, in order to obtain the data necessary for the demographic and social-economic development of the country and its communities.

The information obtained in the RPL for the questions in the questionnaires will allow you to study and know various phenomena that are important and current for society, such as: internal and external (short and long-term) migration,mobility of people,intergenerational relations and population ageing,preservation of cultural identity in the context of globalisation, etc.

More details to combat this fake can be found above under Frequently Asked Questions / Census Questionnaire Questions

FALSE 4. We may refuse to participate in the census and to provide data because the information already exists in state registers, and there will be no consequences for not providing it.

The state registers, although containing a lot of useful information and data, are not able to fully satisfy the requirements of the LPL, of which it is necessary to conduct the Census, in accordance with the provisions of Law 231/2022, as well as other normative acts (Law No 93/2017, Government Decision No 69/2024, etc.).

It should be noted that respondents (persons to be reviewed) are obliged to provide answers to the reviewer's questions, otherwise, the contravention liability provided for in Article 330 of the Contravention Code, which applies nominally (for each person who refuses the review).

FALSE 5. The equipment used must be metrologically certified

Pursuant to Metrology Law No 19/2016 and Government Decision No 1042/2016 approving the Official List of Measuring Instruments and Measurements Subject to Legal Metrological Control – Tablets (PCs) used in the 2024 LPR are NOT subject to metrological certification.

National Bureau of Statistics urges Internet users not to disseminate and not to spread such untrue information in order not to contribute to the spread of fakes.

The National Bureau of Statistics calls on all the population to participate in the Population and Housing Census 2024 for the successful conduct of the census exercise, which will allow decision-makers and society as a whole to be provided with information necessary for evidence-based decision-making that meets the needs of the country's population, according to its ethnic, cultural, social and economic characteristics, and the substantiation of the best public policies in the country, contributing to social-economic development and in areas of vital importance for people, such as health, education, social protection, infrastructure and public services, human, economic development, at territorial and national level.

We kindly ask for your assistance in sharing these responses with those who raised the questions or expressed concerns.

Thank you for your cooperation.