China will conduct its fourth 1-percent national sample census next year, covering a population of about 14 million, according to the General Office of the State Council.

The census, which will start on November 1, 2015, will cover about 60,000 residential areas nationwide, said a circular issued by the office on July 7.

Census takers will survey residents' basic information such as name, gender, age, ethnic group, educational level, profession, migration status, social security, marriage, childbirth and housing conditions.

"Data collected in the new sample census will help identify changes in the number, quality, structure, layout and housing conditions of the country's population since the country conducted its last national census in 2010," the circular said.

China, the world's most populous country, has so far carried out six national censuses since 1949.

The Chinese Government first supplemented its thorough national censuses with a sample census of 1 percent of the population in 1987, with another two being conducted in 1995 and 2005.

According to the sixth census, China's population totaled 1.37 billion as of November 1, 2010.