17 Dec 1926
The first population census began in the USSR; it provided a portrait of Soviet society during the NEP era.
Statistics knows everything (Ilf and Petrov, “12 chairs”, 1927)
The census lasted two weeks in rural areas and one week in urban areas. It was conducted by specially trained instructors, and anonymity was guaranteed.
Everyone can safely give accurate answers to the questions on the personal form, since these answers will not be used for any administrative purposes or for collecting taxes or fees. (from the instructions)
The main questionnaire contained 14 items: gender, age, nationality, native language, place of birth, length of residence at the address, marital status, literacy, physical disabilities, mental health, main type of employment, and industry.
For the unemployed - duration of unemployment and previous occupation, as well as source of livelihood.
Before this, censuses were conducted only in Tsarist Russia. Under the Soviets, families were studied in detail for the first time: supplementary records were kept of family composition, the length of the marriage, and living conditions. For example, the presence of a separate kitchen was determined (and whether it was used for living).
Those who lived alone (“single people”) also filled out a family card.
The amount of arable land in the USSR is precisely recorded, subdivided into black soil, loam, and loess. All citizens of both sexes are registered in neat, thick ledgers—the civil registry books. The average citizen of the republic consumes a certain amount of each food annually. The average citizen drinks an average amount of vodka, with an approximate indication of the snacks consumed. The number of hunters, ballerinas, revolver lathes, dogs of all breeds, bicycles, monuments, girls, lighthouses, and sewing machines in the country is known. (The 12 Chairs)
The newspapers wrote that the most painful questions were about marriage, living space, and the age of women.
Almost all female citizens who have children and support them through alimony or their own labor preferred to declare themselves as “maidens”
The “declassed” elements, like conscientious citizens, honestly wrote “recidivist thief” or “prostitute” in the profession column.
During the census, only 5 people were found in all the night houses in a state of such intoxication that nothing could be done about them. ("Is it true")
Many wives, in the absence of their husbands, cannot disclose where they work. It turned out that many families had two wives: one registered and one de facto, but both vigorously proved to the census takers that they were the real ones. (from newspapers of that time)
The results were collected into 56 volumes and processed in a record 16 months (and this without the use of machines).
Preliminary results were published in 1927. At that time, it was believed that there were 143 million people.
The circumpolar census continued until 1928: for example, in Yakutia, census takers were unable to determine the location of nomadic peoples for a long time.
The full version of the census results, edited by Stalin, was published in 1928-1933. It turned out that there were 147 million people Of these, 82% live in rural areas. Literate accounts for just over half (57%). Unemployed accounts for about 1 million.
There are almost equal numbers of men and women.
Based on census data, plans for the first five-year economic development plans were developed, factories and new cities were built.