A woman wears a mask on the streets of London, UK.

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Tolga AKMEN / AFP

Including for the first time a question on gender identity, a population census begins this Sunday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Taking place every ten years, this census aims to provide an accurate picture of the population.

Each inhabitant must answer a series of questions relating to his age, job, ethnic origin or even on the link he has with other people living in his household.

"Measuring the size of the trans population for the first time"

Since 1801, the census asks about the sex - male or female - of the respondent, but this year, an additional question is asked on gender identity.

"Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?"

“Asks the census.

If the answer is no, the respondent can specify their gender identity.

This question is only asked to people over the age of 16 and the answer is optional.

The addition of this question will make it possible to "measure for the first time the size of the trans population", explains on its website the National Bureau of Statistics, the ONS, which has worked in recent years with different organizations on the questions asked. at the time of the census.

Following a High Court ruling, the ONS agreed to clarify in its advice that the answer to the first question on gender must refer to an official document such as a birth certificate.

A "third sex" added in censuses in several countries

A group of activists, Fair Play For Women, which claims to defend “the rights of women and girls”, had taken legal action, fearing that the question - “What is your gender?

- does not lead to a "sexual self-identification established in a roundabout way".

Fair Play For Women had pleaded for “accurate information on sex”.

Several countries, such as Nepal and Bangladesh, have added a “third sex” in their census for transgender people.

The census begins everywhere in the UK except Scotland, where it has been postponed to March 2022. Due to the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus, it will take place mostly online.

Those who do not answer questions or provide incorrect information risk a fine of up to 1,000 pounds (1,160 euros).

The previous census dates back to 2011.

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