Online form will be available for Census 2027
The Government has approved the date for the next census, which will be on Sunday 9 May 2027.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) said that, for the first time, people in Ireland would be able to use an online census form. Paper forms will also be available.
In what the CSO described as another “significant” change, Census 2027 will be available to complete in the weeks leading up to the census date, rather than on a single night.
‘Usually resident’
A further change will see a move to a ‘usually resident’ count, with people asked to complete the form for where they usually live, and not where they spend census night, as has previously been the case.
The CSO said that this adjustment would ensure more precise data on population distribution.
The content of the census form was determined by a public consultation, with more than 400 submissions, which were then subject to review by a Census Advisory Group (CAG).
The proposed questions were then tested by a census pilot survey in September 2024, with the final question set based on the results of the pilot survey.
‘National moment’
“The census is an important national moment every five years when Ireland comes together to tell the story of who we are and how we live, to help to plan for a better future,” said Eileen Murphy (head of census digital transformation, CSO).
She added that the value of the census could not be overstated.
“The results help to inform policy and decision-making, provide the evidence to better target services where needed, and offer insights into changes in Irish society,” Murphy said.