Censuses provide population numbers, household or family size and composition, and information on sex and age distribution. They often include other demographic, economic and health-related topics as well. The 1981 East Germany de jure census collected data through direct and self-enumeration on subjects of housing, household demographics, education, and employment. The forms used for the census were a household list, a person questionnaire, and a housing questionnaire. The census day was December 31, 1981.