The population census is subject to main use and complementary use.

The main operation provides results on the structure of the population, training and qualifications, travel and migration and the situation towards employment.

Its complementary use provides results on occupations and occupational categories, economic business sectors and households' family structure.

For municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants, it covers 20% of households.

For municipalities with 10,000 inhabitants or more, complementary use covers all the bulletins collected i.e. approximately 40% of households. In institutions, it covers one individual in four. The census covers Metropolitan France, DOMs and the overseas collectivités of Saint-Barthelemy, Saint-Martin, and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.

Mayotte and overseas communities of New Caledonia, French Polynesia and the Wallis and Futuna Islands carry out general censuses every five years.