Population census begins in Serbia

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Serbia on Saturday began holding a population census expected to take place until Oct. 31.

The census will be carried out by some 15,000 data collectors and 2,200 instructors, involving door-to-door visits to households in the Balkan country.

Residents will be asked 69 questions during the effort, with the resulting data to be uploaded to electronic media by officials.

Respondents will not, however, be obliged to answer questions about their native language, religion, and nationality.

Unlike other censuses, men will be asked about the number of their children.

Citizens who refuse to provide accurate and complete answers to mandatory questions could be charged with a fine ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 Serbian dinars ($167 to $417).

In the Sandzak region, home to a large Bosniak community, the Bosnian National Council (BNV) has launched a campaign urging respondents to answer queries on native language, religion, and nationality.

The first unofficial results of the census will be announced on Nov. 30.

Serbia's population is estimated to have decreased by 600,000 people.

The last census in 2011, found that the country has a population of 7.2 million.