2002 Russian Population Census: Characteristics of its Questionnaires

Abstract

In October 2002, the first population census since the dissolution of the USSR and the independence of Russia was conducted in Russia. This paper analyzes the changes in questionnaires included in the previous 1989 census and the 2002 census and pointed out three major changes: 1) reflecting the transformation of the economic system, the number of questions concerning employment increased considerably, and included detailed queries about unemployment and job hunting; 2) questions asking about means of livelihood were significantly altered; 3) questions concerning citizenship, nationality and languages were greatly changed due to the collapse of the USSR.