Classwork Series and Exercises {Economics – SS2}: Population Census

 Economics,SS 2, Week 3

Topic: Population Census

Contents:

1. Definition of Population Census
2. Characteristics of a Good population Census
3. Types of Population Census
4. Importance or Reasons for Population Census
5. Problems Associated with Population Census

Definition of Population Census

Population Census maybe defined as the head count of all nationals of a country at a particular time. It refers to the counting by government of all the children, boys, girls, men and women including the disabled in a country at a given period of time.

Censuses are usually taken every 10 years. Population Census provides information about age, sex, occupation, residence etc. The census of 1952/53 conducted in Nigeria was given as 31.12million people. Another one in 1962/63 gave our population a count of 55.67million people. In 1973, another account gave a population of 79million people. Nigeria’s population as at 2004 was 120 million people.

Characteristics of a Good Population Census

1. It must be conducted by the Government of the state or country where the census is taking place.
2. It must be conducted at the same time (simultaneously) throughout the country.
3. It must involve regular counting at specific time intervals e.g. Nigeria’s population taken in 1953, 1963, 1973 etc. i.e. at an interval of 10 years.
4. It must reveal the population of a country at a specific period of time, e.g. Nigeria’s population census as of 1963.
5. It must involve the physical counting of people rather than by proxy.

Types of Population Census

There are two types of population census. They are:

1. Defacto Population Census: This is the type of population census which involves the counting of only those who are present physically during census. In this group, only those that are present physically are seen and counted.
2. De jure Population Census: This is the type of population census which involves the counting of people who have been permanent residents of a specific area. It does not matter whether the person is present or not. This is the population census commonly referred to as counting by proxy.

The Importance or Reasons for Population Census

The importance or reasons for conducting a population census include:

1. Population Size: Population census helps the Government to know the number of people living in the country and the structure of the population.
2. Revenue Estimates: It also helps in the determination of taxable adults so as to know the amount of revenue expected from that sector.
3. Forecasts Future Economic Needs: It enables the country to forecast future her future economic needs e.g. housing, food etc.
4. Determines the Level of Unemployment: Population Census provides Government with statistics to determine the level of unemployment in the country.
5. Number of Immigrants: The number of immigrants can be known through the statistics gotten from population census.
6. Distribution of Resources: It can assist the government in the distribution of resources e.g. areas of high population like Lagos and Kano will get more resources than areas of low population.
7. Provision of Social Amenities: Population Census gives the Government an idea of the different population in various parts of the country and this will help it in the provision of social amenities like housing, water, electricity, roads, schools, and hospitals e.t.c.
8. Determination of Population Density: Population Census helps the Government to know areas in the country where population per land area is low.
9. Reveals Level of Manpower: It helps to reveal the total number of people who are working. When the level of manpower is high, the economic development of the country is assured.
10. Giving of Aids: It assists the international agencies and Governments in giving aids and other assistance to countries.
11. Investment Decisions: Population Census can influence a country’s investment decision making process. Many investors like to invest in Nigeria because of its high population

Problems associated with Population Census

1. High Level of Illiteracy: As a result of illiteracy, it has become quite difficult to conduct a successful population census as these people do not give relevant, accurate and useful statistics.
2. Political Problem: Since population census is used in many countries to allocate resources to component states, population figures are usually falsified to enable some state gain more resources than others.
3. High Cost: A lot of money is required to conduct population census. West African countries are poor and do not have enough money to conduct a successful population census.
4. Geographical Barriers: Most communities are inaccessible due to mountains, valleys, hills and rivers surrounding them. This makes conducting the census difficult.
5. Lack of Trained Personnel: Trained Personnel like demographers are not easily available hence the use of untrained persons who do not really have information on how a population census is conducted and this leads to inaccurate results.
6. Religious Beliefs: This is a major problem in some areas during census. Muslim women that are in Purdah are not to be seen by men, such people might not be counted during this process.
7. Tax Evasion: As a result of high level of ignorance and illiteracy, people often give fake and false information during census.

Test and Exercise

1. _______  is the type of population census which involves the counting of only those who are present physically during census. In this group, o
2. Population census can be defined as_______

3. All are reasons for population census except (a)Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable (b) distribution of resources (c) for counting sake (d) to identify number of immigrants
4. Components of states of a country usually falsify their statistics in order to get more _____ a) Resources b) Money c) Services d) Goods.
5. One of the problems associated with population census is all of the following except (a) religious beliefs (b) high cost (c) geographical barriers (d) availability of people