An Economic Census is a comprehensive statistical survey conducted to collect data on all economic establishments and units operating within the geographical boundaries of a country.
Key Features:
Complete Count: It aims to cover all entrepreneurial units in the country involved in any economic activity (except crop production and plantation). This includes both the organized and unorganized sectors.
Data Collection: It gathers information on various operational and structural aspects of businesses, such as their location, ownership pattern, number of workers employed, and sources of finance.
Purpose: The data collected serves as a vital resource for the government for planning, policy-making, and understanding the structure of the economy. In India, it is conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).