Census Coverage Survey
The Census Coverage Survey (CCS) gathers demographic data. Used alongside census data, it gives us an estimate of Scotland’s total population.
The survey is voluntary. It takes place 6 weeks after census day. It collects information from about 1.5% of postcodes in Scotland.
When compared with census data, it allows us to identify people and households who are:
- counted in both the census and the CCS
- counted in the census only
- counted in the CCS only
We can use this information to estimate the number of people or households missed in the census.
We then adjust the census data to account for the missing people and provide a more accurate estimate of Scotland’s true population.
Read more about estimation and adjustment.
Find out more
Get the detail about how we run the survey: