Sample surveys in households (household sample surveys)

The Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) collects, creates, and publishes a large amount of statistical data on social, economic, demographic, and ecological development in Czechia. One of many sources of our data are also regular surveys on households and individuals that we carry out. We call these surveys sample surveys in households (or household sample surveys).

Throughout the whole year, interviewers of the CZSO visit thousands randomly selected households all over the country, speak with their members, complete survey questionnaires with them, and obtain important information from them. Thanks to that, we obtain summary statistical data on the life situation of our citizens in such a scope that we cannot attain in another way. Personal participation of respondents from all population groups is thus utterly irreplaceable.

For example, collected data help measure employment and unemployment, provide an estimation of the labour force, and enable creating many key indicators such as the “at-risk-of-poverty rate” or “material and social deprivation rate“. Thanks to them, we know the amount of income and expenditure of households and other data about life of their members. Another important objective of surveys of the CZSO is to find out information about health of our fellow citizens, their health restrictions (activity limitations) and life style, and further about adult participation in learning (previously named “lifelong learning”) and using of digital technologies. Resulting from that is, among other things, a lot of found indicators on digital skills, access to the Internet, or proportion of persons with health restrictions.

Sample surveys in households take place nationwide not only in the territory of Czechia but also in all other countries of the European Union. In the framework of these specific statistical surveys the same data are obtained everywhere and therefore we can easily compare situation of the population in individual countries of the EU.      

Why should you participate in sample surveys of the CZSO in households?
Some data cannot be found in any other available sources. This information can only be obtained directly from you. That is why your help and co-operation is very important.

How was I selected to participate in a household survey?
The survey is carried out in dwellings (flats), which were selected by a two-phase random sampling together for the whole Czech Republic. For both the first and the second phase of the sampling, the Register of Enumeration Districts and Buildings is used. In the first phase, enumeration districts are selected. For each Region, a certain amount of enumeration districts is selected according to the size of the sample. In the second phase, individual dwellings (flats) are selected. In each selected enumeration district, the relevant number of dwellings (flats) is selected according to the methodology for individual surveys. Households and persons or a person usually residing in the households of selected dwellings (flats) are subject of the survey. It does not matter whether they have permanent, long-term, temporary, or unreported residence there. The ownership right to the dwelling (flat) is also not surveyed.

How does the survey take place?
An interviewer, an employee of the CZSO, obtains a certain part from a list of selected dwellings (flats). His/her task is to visit these dwellings (flats), to contact persons usually residing in them, and to ask them for their co-operation with completing a survey questionnaire. The interviewer of the CZSO must find all selected dwellings (flats). It is inadmissible to survey another dwelling (flat) instead of the selected one, because determined rules for random sampling would thus be broken.

How can I check whether the interviewer is really an employee of the CZSO?
When addressing a selected household, the interviewers show the interviewer’s card, which in a combination with a service card of the CZSO or with an identity card (ID) authorises them to work for the CZSO. It is possible to check on a website of the CZSO that the interviewer’s card is valid.

Who uses information on households from the surveys of the CZSO?
Data from sample surveys in households are used both by professionals and laymen. They provide useful information for directing of the state policy in the area of unemployment, social care, or support to families with children. They are also used for assessment of impacts of individual measures. They are a basis for making decisions regarding the pension scheme, the benefit scheme, or the tax scheme. Summary data are published by the CZSO on the Internet. 

Are my personal data safe?
Definitely. The CZSO fully respects the European legal framework for personal data protection (GDPR). Moreover, all employees of the CZSO are sworn to secrecy about all surveyed facts pursuant to law. It is only possible to use the data solely for statistical purposes. No information that could identify a concrete individual is provided to state authorities or anybody else. You can be sure that everything you tell us is very important and absolutely confidential.