The 2021 Russian census faced significant scrutiny over its reported participation and accuracy

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Conducted after multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Russian census aimed to modernize data collection through digital tablets and online portals. While official figures claimed near-total coverage, independent analysts questioned the methodology, sparking a debate over the reliability of the largest demographic survey in over a decade.

The 2021 Russian census was the third such event since the Soviet Union dissolved and the first since 2010. Preparations began in 2017 with a government decree, eventually leading to a 33 billion ruble budget. Originally planned for 2020, the main stage was pushed to October 2021 as the pandemic forced multiple scheduling shifts. For remote, inaccessible regions, the process spanned from April to December 2021, while the general population was surveyed between October 15 and November 14.

Technological innovation was a central goal. Officials introduced electronic tablets for census takers and allowed citizens to submit forms via the Gosuslugi public services portal. This followed a 2018 pilot census that tested these digital methods across 10 territories, including the Nizhneudinsky and Yuzhno-Kurilsky districts. Registrars also updated address lists, which led to the discovery of previously undocumented villages like Yozhikovo. Standard forms were used to track permanent residents, temporary visitors, and living conditions.

Despite these efforts, the results faced intense criticism. Rosstat, the state statistics agency, maintained that 99% of the population was counted. However, the Levada Center estimated that roughly 42% of the population remained unenumerated, characterizing the outcome as one of the worst in 150 years. Following the collection phase, Rosstat released a series of volumes throughout 2022 covering topics from migration and education to fertility and housing, with the final data sets published by the end of December 2022.

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