the consistency of the variables recorded, the size and structure of the sample as well as the willingness of the persons interviewed to answer the questions (response rate). By merging or cumulating samples (pooling) from several years it is possible to get more accurate results than those obtained from one single sample. Thematic surveys For the thematic surveys, 10,000 or 40,000 people are surveyed each year on one of a total of five themes. The statistics from these surveys can be used to add considerable depth to the information from the structural survey. The first results are available one year after the collection of data from the respondents has been concluded. Omnibus Omnibus surveys are surveys on current topics in which 3000 persons are asked to provide quick answers to current questions of interest to policymakers and the scientific and research community. The results are available about six months after the survey. See also Demographics of Switzerland Footnotes and references Federal Statistical Office, The New Census, Neuchâtel 2011 External links Ordinance of 19 December 2008 on the Federal Population Census (German) Federal Act of 22 June 2007 on the Federal Population Census (Census Act) (German) Federal Statistical Office (FSO), The new census Federal Statistical Office (FSO), federal censuses (German) Demographics of Switzerland Switzerland