A census is an official survey of the population of a country that is carried out to find out how many people live there and to obtain details of such things as people’s ages and jobs.
Census gathers knowledge about the demographic dividend of the nation which is vital for many purposes.
Various surveys like health surveys, education surveys, agriculture surveys, etc. are based on this comprehensive data.
Census is significant for any country for evidence-based decision-making.
The data collected through the Census is used for administration, governance, planning, and policy-making as well as management and evaluation of various programs run or to be introduced by the Government, NGOs, researchers, commercial and private enterprises, etc.
Census is responsible for taking the collected information “from a dwelling unit to the delivery unit”. It will boost coherence in policy-making and scientific planning, resulting in the optimization of resources.
To scholars and researchers in demography, economics, anthropology, and many other disciplines, the Indian Census has been a fascinating source of data.
The collected data from the Census is available to grassroots administrative authorities of a particular region to take appropriate developmental tasks.
It helps in effective targeting and better delivery of government programs to the most downtrodden sections of society.
Census data is also used for the demarcation of constituencies and allocation of representation to the Parliament, State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies.
Finance Commission gives grants to the states based on population figures available from the Census data.
The importance of performing a population census includes:
Knowing the size of the population.
A census helps find out the number of people who live in the country and the structure of the society. Determining the number of taxable adults. It helps in determining the number of people who can pay taxes in a country, which helps to estimate the amount of revenue that can be obtained from the tax sector.
Forecasting possible economic needs.
It helps to forecast the country’s economic needs, for example, electricity, housing, food, etc. Determining the number of unemployed citizens and the standard of living of the citizens in the country. Revealing the level of manpower. It helps to reveal the level of manpower, that is, people who are working in a country. If it is high, the economic development of the country is assured.
Formulating economic policies.
For example, the revenue formula can be based on demographical figures. Estimating the number of emigrants and immigrants. This info can also be obtained from the census
Determining the population density.
Censuses play an essential role in giving detailed information on population density. The information obtained from the census assists the government to distribute resources, for example, areas densely populated get, as a rule, more resources than areas that are scarcely populated.
Providing social amenities.
Census data gives an idea of what kind of social amenities should be provided to particular areas, for example, hospitals, housing, water, electricity, and others.
Giving aid. Censuses assist the government and international agencies in helping the country.
Important Points to note:
1. When asked Language spoken – fill in either major language either Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo before English and Pidgin.
2. For those who don’t understand English, help them to state Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo solely.
Promoting someone else’s language ultimately relegates yours. NOTE. For married women especially not your husband’s tribe but your own
3. If they ask you for the tribe, tell them Yoruba, Hausa, or Igbo
Your State is the name of a state of many tribes, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo are your language, your tribe, and your land.
4. If they ask you for an address, give your local/village address. Make sure it is your village
Give your family house address in your village even if you have never been there.
5. Even if you live in any other city or speak any other language, don’t mention it in your forms. Just leave it at Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo
Sensitization & education process by Swift Reporters in partnership with National Population Commission (NPC)
