Istat launches 2026 permanent population and housing census in Italy

The Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat) has launched the 2026 permanent census of the population and housing. The survey involves a representative sample of approximately one million families across 2,529 municipalities throughout Italy.

Starting October 5, selected households can complete questionnaires online using credentials provided in official letters or via digital identity systems like SPID or CIE. The online compilation phase runs until early December. Following this, from mid-November to late December, municipal surveyors will conduct telephone or face-to-face interviews to collect responses from those who have not yet completed the survey.

The data collected is intended to provide an updated socio-economic and structural profile of the Italian population, serving as a vital tool for regional and national planning and decision-making.