New cost-cutting census will no longer go from door to door

Spain's census will no longer be compiled by house-to-house visits but will unveil a new streamlined form in order to save costs, the National Statistics Institute (INE) has announced.

The next count of the country's population and social and demographic conditions, which takes place every 10 years, will ask only 10 percent of citizens to fill out a questionnaire when it begins in September. The final population data will be determined by the results of the survey and municipal electoral roll information.

The INE calculates the changes will reduce the bill for the 2011 census by a quarter?from

400 million euros to between 80 and 90 million euros?mostly by saving on personnel costs.

The institute also denied that the quality of results would be affected by the new method. "Questioning 10 percent of the population will give the same level of detail and cost 25 percent less," said INE Deputy Director Antonio Argüeso.