An interim census to be carried out across the Island in April this year will be the first that can be completed online. The move is one of a number of changes to improve the efficiency of the operation and make it more user-friendly for the public.

The Isle of Man has held a full census every ten years since 1821. In addition, since 1996 a shorter interim census has been carried out at the halfway point between the full censuses.

The results, including an accurate count of the Island’s population, are used to help Government, local authorities and businesses plan services for the future.

Census Night – when all households in the Island are asked to complete the census form - is Sunday April 24. Census forms will be delivered to all households in the week beginning April 11.

Census Project Manager Adam Smith explained: ‘We are taking a fresh approach to the 2016 census, making use of advancements in technology and partnering with others to improve efficiency and the public’s experience.

‘This census will be the first to offer online completion, if people wish to use this method. Every home will still be provided with a paper version of the form, but it will come with a unique online code that will allow them to access the online form.

‘The online form will guide households through the questions they should be answering, prevent questions from being missed and can be completed more quickly and accurately than the paper version.

‘If widely adopted, the online route offers Government considerable cost savings and reduces the administrative burden of quality- checking the forms. Those who would like to complete their return online but are not confident using the internet can come to the Census Office, which will be set up in the Sea Terminal, and be helped through the process.’

Another first this year is a partnership with the Isle of Man Post Office to provide a wide range of services previously handled by the census team. The Post Office will be responsible for printing all census materials, delivering the advanced notice and census forms and handling posted returns.

Previously all of the information was manually coded and entered by a large administration team, which was also responsible for quality checking every form. In 2016 the form has been designed to be machine read so that the majority of the information can be automatically captured by scanning software.

The system provided by the Isle of Man Post Office will be able to highlight where there has been an error on the form, such as a missed question or a combination of answers that require clarification.

By partnering with the Post Office the size of the census team that is required has been reduced from over 180 in 2011 down to 90 in 2016, and the amount of manual handling of forms will be much less. Its service also includes the ability to electronically track every census form, making it possible to follow up with those households who have not responded.

The Census Office will as usual be available to assist members of the public by phone and email and they will be able to question staff in person at the Sea Terminal office. Information will be available on the Government website and there will be support for those whose first language is not English. Households may also request assistance at their home from the Census Office and a Census Officer will be able to visit and help them complete the form.