Methods of data collection

a census is a survey carried out every 10 years

each householder is asked to complete a detailed questionnaire about the number of people living in their home

householders answer other questions on their social, economic and cultural backgrounds.

there are also civil registrations of births and deaths. this provides an up to date count between censuses.

governments also collect data on migration, for example visa applications and NHS records provide health data

the Scottish Household Survey is a continuous survey which is cheaper than carrying out a full census.