3 ms·

Wait, are you saying Europe doesn't have censuses?

generj 4mo ago
Many countries effectively have a live registry of where people live, updated to within a few weeks. A door to door census isn’t needed because they can do something like: SELECT a.province, COUNT(DISTINCT b.id_num) FROM registry a INNER JOIN national_id b ON a.nat_id_num = b.id_num WHERE timeframe = 2026-01-01 GROUP BY 1
gpvos 4mo ago
Correct. At least, not that I know of. On the other hand, when you move, you must deregister with your old municipality and register with your new one. The exact system differs a bit per country.
brainwad 4mo ago
In my European country (Switzerland), it's mandatory to notify the government whenever you move. There is thus no universal census and also no voter registration. There's still subsampled surveys though, for e.g. economic data, that might come by mail (addressed to you by name, because they know where you live!).
- drysine 4mo ago
  [flagged]
  - brainwad 4mo ago
    As I understand it, in the Soviet Union you had to get government permission before moving. Whereas here the right to move is guaranteed, you just have to update your details.
    - drysine 4mo ago
      You are right, I apologize What's the fine for not registering your move? What time do you have to update your location? In Russia in the 90s we had 5 days and now it's three months. The fine is 3000 rubles (~40 euro) and zero if you moved in the same region (most of them are bigger than Switzerland:) or live at relative's or spouse's place I used to think that what we have in Russia is Soviet legacy (albeit relaxed) and it's something people in Europe are not burdened with
      - brainwad 4mo ago
        Usually 14 days and ~50-200 CHF. But you can usually do it online now, so it's trivial.
        drysine 4mo ago
        Thanks, so it's about the same considering the difference in personal income Yep, it's online in Russia too
  - Peanuts99 4mo ago
    Perhaps on that one axis. On the other hand Switzerland is probably about as far opposed as the USSR as you can get.

Many countries effectively have a live registry of where people live, updated to within a few weeks. A door to door census isn’t needed because they can do something like: SELECT a.province, COUNT(DISTINCT b.id_num) FROM registry a INNER JOIN national_id b ON a.nat_id_num = b.id_num WHERE timeframe = 2026-01-01 GROUP BY 1

gpvos 4mo ago

Correct. At least, not that I know of. On the other hand, when you move, you must deregister with your old municipality and register with your new one. The exact system differs a bit per country.

brainwad 4mo ago

In my European country (Switzerland), it's mandatory to notify the government whenever you move. There is thus no universal census and also no voter registration. There's still subsampled surveys though, for e.g. economic data, that might come by mail (addressed to you by name, because they know where you live!).

drysine 4mo ago
[flagged]
- brainwad 4mo ago
  As I understand it, in the Soviet Union you had to get government permission before moving. Whereas here the right to move is guaranteed, you just have to update your details.
  - drysine 4mo ago
    You are right, I apologize What's the fine for not registering your move? What time do you have to update your location? In Russia in the 90s we had 5 days and now it's three months. The fine is 3000 rubles (~40 euro) and zero if you moved in the same region (most of them are bigger than Switzerland:) or live at relative's or spouse's place I used to think that what we have in Russia is Soviet legacy (albeit relaxed) and it's something people in Europe are not burdened with
    - brainwad 4mo ago
      Usually 14 days and ~50-200 CHF. But you can usually do it online now, so it's trivial.
      - drysine 4mo ago
        Thanks, so it's about the same considering the difference in personal income Yep, it's online in Russia too
- Peanuts99 4mo ago
  Perhaps on that one axis. On the other hand Switzerland is probably about as far opposed as the USSR as you can get.