Chongqing- The population of Chongqing Municipality in southwestern China increased by 3.208 million from 2010 to 2020, according to a municipal press conference Thursday.

The Information Office of Chongqing Municipal People’s Government held a press conference on May 13th, 2021, where leading officials in the Seventh National Population Census announced results and preliminary analysis for Chongqing Municipality.

The main purpose is to comprehensively analyze China's population in terms of number, structure, and distribution and provide accurate statistical information support for improved development strategies and policy systems, the formulation of plans for economic and social development, and the promotion of high-quality development.

During the census, over 10,000 agencies were established in Chongqing at municipal, district, township, and village levels, while more than 200,000 personnel were hired for the assignment.

Census institutions and personnel overcame difficulties posed by the epidemic to successfully perform a thorough census of all households and populations in the municipality.

Electronic data collection methods were adopted for the direct reporting of data in real-time, while census subjects were able to report their details independently using a QR code link. In addition, departmental administration was strengthened through electronic applications, including big data and mobile phones, which improved the quality and efficiency of census work.

Xiang Tielin, director of the Leadership Group for the Seventh National Population Census of Chongqing Municipal People's Government, and deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Statistics attended the conference to deliver the following census results and key findings.

The Information Office of Chongqing Municipal People’s Government held a press conference on May 13th, 2021, where leading officials in the Seventh National Population Census announced results and preliminary analysis for Chongqing Municipality. (iChongqing/ James Alexander)

Key data from 7th National Population Consensus

• 1. The main census data shows the population in Chongqing Municipality has maintained steady growth over the past 10 years

• 2. The number of households and family sizes has continued to shrink, mainly due to increasing population flow, income growth, improved housing conditions, increased housing security, and young people living independently after marriage.

• 3. Population distribution has been further concentrated in economically developed locations, especially central urban areas.

• 4. Gender composition. The male to female sex ratio of the total population was 102.21 (Per 100 females), which was 0.40% less than the sixth national census in 2010, showing the gender structure has continued to improve.

• 5. Compared with the 2010 census, the age groups of 0-14 and 15-59 saw respective decreases of 1.09% and 3.36% in proportion, while the age group 60+ increased by 4.45%. This demonstrates the issue of an aging population has continued to deepen further.

• 6. Continuous improvements in education reflects the positive results achieved through development in higher and vocational education, as illiteracy among young and middle-aged people over the past 10 years has been virtually eradicated, and cultural essence among the people has continued to improve.

• 7. The urbanization process in Chongqing Municipality has advanced steadily over the past ten years, as the construction of new urban areas has made historic achievements.

• 8. Economic and social development in Chongqing Municipality has continually heightened its appeal to talented professionals, which has caused the rate of population inflow to expand further.

• 9. Steady growth in the ethnic population of Chongqing Municipality reflects overall progress and development.

Data security

 The Seventh National Population Census has obtained a wealth of valuable information to fully ascertain the number, structure, and distribution of the population and identify current trends in demographic changes.

Relevant departments will strengthen cooperation to provide strong statistical information in support of high-quality development, the targeted formulation of related strategies and policies, and the promotion of long-term balanced development.

In light of the wide adoption of mobile and internet-based data collection, Yang Hongyi, deputy director of the Leadership Group for the Seventh National Population Census of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government, and member of the Party Leadership Group of the Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Statistics, answered questions related to public concerns about privacy and data protection, where he summarised the measures adopted universally to ensure the safety of personal information.

"Data security concerns are an issue of particular concern to everyone involved. Therefore, the protection of personal information was a task of utmost consideration during the census process, focusing on four key aspects to ensure the data security for the public as a whole."

• Census instructors and personnel received systematic received training in statistical law and regulations in addition to signing a confidentiality agreement.
• Mobile terminals and servers used for data collection adopted strict procedures for encryption so that the security of entire transmission channels was ensured.
• Data processing systems adopted internet cloud technology and services managed in full following the standards of third-level national network security guarantees, which formed a solid protection barrier for data security.
• The application of original census data was desensitized so that the identity of subjects cannot be disclosed or inferred.