Structural Survey (SE)

The structural survey is a component of the Population Census and complements information obtained from registers with additional statistics on the structure of the population. In this survey, part of the population fill in a written questionnaire. The first results are available one year after the reference day.

Population Census

The main characteristics

  • sample survey of at least 200,000 people;
  • covers persons aged 15 and over living in a private household;
  • can be answered by internet or by completing written questionnaire;
  • is conducted annually with reference day 31 December. The reference day coincides with the register survey. In this way, the dates of both surveys can be combined;
  • provides information on population, households, families, housing, employment, mobility, education, language, religion and migration;
  • provides answers at the following geographical levels: Switzerland, major regions, cantons and communes with 15,000 inhabitants and more;
  • the results can aggregated over 3 and 5 years. This allows analyses to be made at a lower geographical level or in more detail on certain topics;
  • Cantons and cities may increase the sample size within their territory.

Fact sheet

Further information

On this topic

People surveyed in the structural survey / eCensus

Results of the structural survey

Methodological basis for research and regional partners

Benutzer/-innen von Einzeldaten

Contact

Section Population

Federal Statistical Office
Espace de l'Europe 10
2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland