According to government’s decision of China, a full population census will be
conducted every ten years at the year ended by 0 and an inter-census population
survey, also called 1% population sample survey, will be conducted between two full
censuses at the year ended by 5. Except for the 1% coverage of population, the
inter-census survey is almost the same as the full census in terms of organization,
procedures and questionnaire design. The full census and the inter census survey
constitute the essential framework for China’s population statistics. This framework,
providing a system of guaranty the acquisition of accurate and up-to-date
demographic information, represents the major source for tracing the change of
population quantity and structure.
In the first two decades of the 21st century, China will experience dramatic evolution
in economic transition and social transformation. During this development period, it is
no doubt that China’s population, including total size, regional distribution and other
characteristics, will have a great change. In this context, the inter-census population
survey, which will be conducted in 2005, is of great significance for understanding
present situation of China’s population and extrapolating the future population
change.
Technologically, the inter-census population survey in 2005 (hereinafter referred to as
“1% sample survey ”) is an improvement and optimization to the 2000 Census of
China. In this sense, a careful review of the 2000 Census, especially finding out the
imperfections and the causes, may provide substantive information for the design of
the 1% sample survey, and for the improvement and optimization of the future
population censuses. This paper will talk about the major deficiencies of the 2000
Census and major concerns for the design of the 1% sample survey of China in 2005.