In 2001, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, conducted a national census in Bangladesh, ten years after the 1991 census. They recorded data from all of the districts and upazilas and main cities in Bangladesh including statistical data on population size, households, sex and age distribution, marital status, economically active population, literacy and educational attainment, religion, number of children etc. According to the adjusted 2001 census figures, Bangladesh's population stood at 129.3 million (an initial count put it at 124.4 million; an adjustment for the standard rate of undercounting then boosted the figure). According to the census, Hindus were 9.2 per cent of the population.
The census data were collected from January 23 to 27, 2001. The 2001 census marked an increase in technology to collect the data, with the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics taking the initiative to use an Optical Mark Reader (OMR) for transfer of data from source documents (Census Form), directly to electronic media.