The census concerns everyone who lives regularly in France but if your commune has less than 10,000 inhabitants this will only be carried out once every 5 years at every address.For communes having more than10,000 inhabitants the census is carried out every year but over a small sample of addresses which will be different every year. The census is only required for your main residence and the questionnaire should not be completed for your second home.
Taking part in the census is compulsory and failure or refusal to take part may result in a fine. The statistics gathered are used to determine the population of each municipality and to calculate the budget required to meet its needs, particularly in terms of schools, care homes and transport.
If you are included in this year’s census you will be notified by letter from your local mayor. You can then register (from 18th January) to take part online. Shortly afterwards an enumerator will deliver the notice with the information needed to complete the online forms. If you are not at home they will leave a card to let you know to make an appointment for them to come back.
If you are unable to complete the census online, you can request paper forms and the enumerator can help you complete them if necessary. All answers are completely confidential.
Enumerators will carry an identification card bearing their name and photo and this will be signed by the mayor. You have the right to ask to see the ID card and if in any doubt this can be checked at the Mairie. Also , it is free to take part in the census so do not reply to any sites which ask for a fee.
For more information please see the Recensement et Moi website.