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The population census in Greece starts today and will last to the 24^th of May with the aim to draw conclusions about the social and economic identity of the country. The interviews will take about 25 minutes and the citizens will have to answer simple questions about their residence, the number of residents in their home, age, occupation, education level and whether they are working at the moment. The population census is obligatory for all and for the economic immigrants too.

Ten years after the last census, the Hellenic Statistical Authority will employ 55,000 people who will take part in the census as enumerators and another 13,000 that will be coordinators. They will have to describe the population of the country and the number of buildings for two weeks.

The census this time includes the economic immigrants and cooperation with translators is provided therefore. The questionnaires are printed in the main languages ​​of immigrants in the country like English, Albanian, Russian, Arabic, Afghan, Pakistani, Chinese and French.

The people will have to respond other questions like whether they use the Internet and any alternative sources of energy and whether they recycle their waste. The main thing is that the people should not be worried if the enumerators come to their homes but do not find them. They will leave a note with their phone number which the people will have to call and arrange a meeting when suitable.

The other important thing is that not all the people living in the relevant house have to be at home in case the present person answers the main questions related to them: their age, occupation, education level and whether they are working. Each household is responsible only for the people who live in the house, including those who are absent due to military service, sailors, people temporarily working abroad and people who are in hospitals. The list of the people living in a home includes all household members and assistants who live in the house. The citizens should supply information on the living area and when the house was built. The interview will not take more than 20-25 minutes.

It is not necessary to present an identity card or passport to the enumerator, nor a tax identification number or any other documents. If the person requests such a document, then he or she is not an enumerator. To make sure that the person is an enumerator he or she must have a badge with the sign of ELSTAT, his or her name and the name and phone number of his or her coordinator. If you are not sure about the veracity of the data presented you can call 213 135 2138-40.

All people will have the opportunity to fill in an application for organ donation, and informational materials relating to the donation of organs will be distributed to all. Whoever wishes to become a donor must send an application to the National Organization for Transplantation and will receive a card indicating that the card holder is a donor of organs.

Homeless people in shelters will be also recorded, and immigrants will not be obliged to show a permit to stay in the country to be recorded. The independent service ensured that all data will be kept confidential and the fines for leaks will vary between 10,000 and 200,000 euros!

More information about the census in 2011 can be found on: www.apografi2011.gr. The first results for the permanent residents in Greece will be announced in June and detailed information about the characteristics of the population will be distributed after a year and a half.