Russian census reveals unusual data

Taking a census is a risky task - especially in places like Chechnya

By Sarah Rainsford Correspondent in Moscow

Russia's first post-Soviet census draws to a close on Wednesday, and has been officially declared a success.

An early count suggests that over 70% of the population has taken part, following an extensive publicity campaign by the authorities.

Russia has been through 13 years of dramatic change since the last head count, and the government is desperate for new data.

But the 10-day poll has not been entirely smooth sailing.

Persuading Russians to open their doors to the census takers has not been easy.

Some Russians defined their nationality as Hobbits

The government has spent a small fortune on advertising, hoping to convince suspicious householders that it is safe to disclose their vital statistics to the authorities.

But pollsters in many cities have received a less than warm welcome.

Insurance companies have filed over 200 claims from census takers who say angry residents have set dogs on them.

Others have been robbed or attacked by fellow humans and in one Siberian city, a census taker was held hostage for several hours.

Hobbits

There have been less violent protests too.

One man is reported to have swallowed his census form - a dramatic gesture he explained was his mark of disapproval of US policy on Iraq.

And in Kursk, chilly residents refused to take part in the count until their central heating was switched on.

Whilst this cool reception might have been expected, some of the replies to census takers' questions were less predictable.

For the first time ever, citizens were asked to define their own nationality "according to how they feel".

Elves, Hobbits and middle-Earthers have all put in an appearance.

The official results will not be released until next autumn, but it seems there are already indications that the census will reveal some rather unusual data.