Istat launches 2026 permanent population and housing census in Italy

The 2026 edition of the permanent census of the population and housing, managed by Istat, has commenced across Italy. This annual survey, which transitioned from a decennial to a permanent model in 2018, aims to collect essential demographic, social, and housing data to update municipal registries and provide a detailed view of the country’s evolving socio-economic landscape.

The current phase involves approximately 1.4 million sample families across 2,529 municipalities. Selected households can complete the questionnaire online using personal credentials, SPID, or CIE until December 6. For those unable to complete the process online, municipal operators will conduct follow-up interviews via telephone or in person between November 12 and December 23.

Participation is mandatory for the selected sample, and failure to comply may result in sanctions. In addition to the census, Istat is also sponsoring the International Statistical Literacy Project (ISLP) poster competition for 2026-2027, targeting students globally to promote the use of official statistics in understanding daily reality.