2008 Population and Housing Census Preliminary Report

Abstract

This is the fifth in a series of decennial censuses that have been conducted in Malawi since the country attained its independence in 1964. The first post-independence census was conducted in 1966, followed by the 1977, 1987 and 1998 censuses. In addition to variables collected in past censuses, the 2008 Census contains information on disability statistics, emigration, maternal and general deaths, and orphanhood status of children aged 18 years or younger. The extensive preparations and timely implementation of the census ensured high quality data. For monitoring purposes several supervisory levels were established. The first supervisory level was of senior headquarters, followed by district supervisors drawn from a combination of NSO and District Assembly’s Office staff , Control Centre and Field Supervisors drawn from experienced field staff, in that order. A total of 13,000 enumerators and 3,400 field and control center supervisors were recruited, trained and deployed to undertake enumeration in the whole country. Furthermore, adequate transportation (vehicles, motor bikes and bicycles) was provided. For the first time of census taking by the NSO, district assemblies were an integral part of the census operation more especially with regard to advocacy, publicity and census enumeration. Preparations for the 2008 census started in June 2003 with the updating of census maps, an exercise which was completed in July 2006 after successful demarcation of 12,631 Enumeration Areas (EAs). The Geographical Positioning System (GPS) was used to collect geo-points, and currently all EA maps are digitized. Prior to census enumeration, the NSO undertook an intensive advocacy and publicity campaign to inform, educate and raise awareness to the general public about the nature, timing and usefulness of the census, and solicit the co-operation during the enumeration. The NSO adopted scanning technology for data entry and output from this process was exported to CSPro. The NSO employed a total of 90 data entry clerks, working in two shifts and were deployed for a period of three weeks. Data processing and preparation of the Preliminary Report was completed by end September 2008. Data validation and editing was also accomplished.