Over 200,000 residents and about 87,000 housing units have been recorded so far in the population census in the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus, which began on October 1 and is expected to be concluded by the end of November.

The census is expected to record about 410,000 housing units, 290,000 households and a population of about 810,000 persons.

Statistical Service senior officer Dora Kyriakidou, who is responsible for the census, told CNA that the number of foreigners living in Cyprus will be much higher than in other censuses, noting that there is a problem with this portion of the population because it is reluctant to open the door to the enumerators.

Replying to questions, Kyriakidou said “we will see how many the foreigners are at the end of the day,“ adding that “it will definitely not be the percentage we had recorded in 2001, when the last census had been carried out.“