National Population Census 1981
Nepal, 1981
Identification
NPL_1981_PHC_v01_M
National Population Census 1981
Rastriya Janaganana 2038 Nepal
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Nepal | NPL |
Population and Housing Census [hh/popcen]
Nepal has a long history of census taking. The first population census of Nepal was taken in 1911 and this practice was continued roughly every ten years. However, there is some evidence to show that a population count in one form or another took place even before 1911. An enumeration covering adult males reportedly took place during the regime of Bhimsen Thapa (1806-1838). This was possibly done with a view to recruiting adult men into the army. The existence of a Guthi (Cooperative Society) indicates the practice of counting houses in Kathmandu Valley even before the Bhimsen Thapa period (1806-I838). However, these censuses were conducted for limited purposes and were also confined to small areas of the country. Even the scope of four censuses (1911, 1920, 1930 and 1941) which were conducted during the Rana Regime (1846-1950) was also limited. Although, these censuses used a short census schedule to collect information on the name of the head of the household, age of persons by sex, occupation, ability to work, number of livestock and means of transportation, the final results were presented in aggregates, i.e. head counts only.
The first scientific census taken in the modern sense of the term started with the 1952/54 census which was conducted in two parts of the country separated by two years in time. The eastern part of the country with the exception of Mahottari district was covered in 1952. Mahottari district was counted along with the rest of the country in 1954.
A brief description of the census operation covering mainly the censuses of 1952/54, 1961 and 1971 is presented below:
Prior to 1952/54 there was no separate Field Organization for conducting censuses. The censuses prior to 1952/54 were conducted through administrative fiat authorizing the district administration to collect various types of information including population counts. The district administrators in turn seem to have relied mainly upon the land revenue agents for providing such information concerning all persons in a village or a group of villages under the jurisdiction of these agents.
a) 1952/54 Census
The need for a separate organization for conducting censuses was realized only at the time of the first modern census of 1952/54 and accordingly, a central office was set up to carry out the tasks of census taking. Under the Central Office separate field offices and sub-divisional offices were created for the purpose of conducting censuses. The field level officers were in charge of recruiting and training the enumerators. In 1952/54 village chiefs and revenue agents acted as enumerators. Their work was supervised and thoroughly checked by trained workers (supervisors) employed by the census organization temporarily for this purpose.
b) 1961 Census
Village chiefs and land revenue collectors/agents were also involved in the tasks of census taking in 1961. Village chiefs (Mukhiyas) and revenue agents (Patwaris) acted either as enumerators or assisted in the tasks of field supervisors. The supervisors were recruited from local people in each district and had been given theoretical and practical training at the same district headquarters. There was one supervisor on average for each census sub-zone. The tasks of a supervisor were closely scrutinized by a section officer deputed to each census zone. In 1961, 15,933 enumerators were involved in the tasks of census taking. The fifty-five administrative districts of the time were divided into 18 census zones and 102 sub-zones comprising 456 census areas and 28,400 villages. The village was the unit of enumeration in 1961 but the district was the smallest unit for which data was made available.
c) 1971 Census
With the introduction of the Panchayat System in 1962, the country was divided into 14 zones and 75 districts and 28,400 villages were regrouped into nearly 4,000 village Panchayats. The census of 1971, therefore, rearranged some of the districts and created 17 census zones and employed one zonal census officer in each zone for supervising and administering the census operation. He (the zonal officer) was assisted by one non-gazetted class I official and other subordinates. Seventeen training centers were established for training the supervisors and enumerators. The zonal officers and their assistants were recruited and trained at the center. There were about 12,000 enumerators and 500 supervisors who were involved in the actual enumeration. However, the level of education of the enumerators was very poor. The minimum educational qualifications required to be an enumerator were the ability to read and write only. The census schedule was pre-tested in two village Panchayats and one urban area. The 1971 census data was obtained at the ward level. Though the population count by sex at the ward level was published in separate booklets, the main census publications containing standard tables about various socio-economic cum-demographic characteristics of the population, were made available at district level only. For the first time in 1971 the census data was processed through computer and this practice was also continued in 1981.
e) 1981 Census
Since 1952/54, the censuses of Nepal have been collecting data on "Place of birth" for all persons counted in the census. This topic is also found in the list of priority items recommended by the UN for 1980 round of censuses (ESCAP, 1978; pp. 32-35). To improve the data on migration, 1981 census collected more information such as -duration of residence and reason for migration. The practice of computer processing was also continued in 1981.
The ancient history of Nepal is assumed to have begun in 750 B.C. and ended in 250 A.D. During that period Kirats ruled the country. But no written record of this is available. Early history of Nepal had witnessed the establishment of a number of beleaguered dynasties and principalities scattered in the fertile valleys of Kathmandu and Pokhara and in the river basins of the Karnali and the Gandaki. Although some others dynasties survived for a short period of time, others ruled for centuries. The Lichhavi dynasty, for instance, lasted over four centuries (464-879 A.D.). Another great dynasty-the Malla-Dynasty-had established itself in Kathmandu valley around the 13th century, and lasted over five hundred years.The divided and hostile principalities and kingdoms were finally consolidated in 1769 under king Prithivi Narayan Shah and his successors to become the modern nation of Nepal. Socially and economically, however, the modern era in Nepal's history has started with the revival of the national aspirations of the poor countries in Asia after the Second World War. These aspirations were mainly concerned with acquiring independence, and emancipation from the perpetual state of ignorance, poverty and political stress. Failing to democratize the regime and to bring about educational, social and economic reforms in the country, the Rana Regime was finally thrown out by the joint efforts of the King and people of Nepal in 1951. Within the frame of the open policy with other nations, Nepal has been able to implement four economic development plans, with the cooperation of several countries and International Agencies. The fifth economic development plan (1975-80) has placed special priority on agricultural development as infrastructure for future industrial development and also has laid emphasis on industrialization of the country than the previous plans.
The objectives of the 1981 Population Census were:
- to provide data for small administrative areas of the country on population, housing and household facilities,
- to provide sex disaggregated data of the population and other variables related to households, demographic, social and economic conditions of the country, and
- to provide detailed information on women, children, the aged and the disabled.
- to determine the prevailing trends and characteristics of population change, namely, age structure, mortality, fertility, education and labour force.
The 1981 census contained the following items as the content of the census;
Individual Questionnaire
Name of the family members, Relation with household head, Sex, Age, Birth place, Citizenship, Mother tongue, Religion, Educational attainment, Marital Status, Economic activities, Profession
Household Questionnaire
Name of the household head, Number of present members of the households- total, male, female, Number of absentee members of the households- total, male, female, Place of absentee and reason of leaving, Number of deaths in the households in the past 12 months-male and female, Physical and mental disabilities, Number of radios in the households, Economic activities (agriculture and cottage industries).
Census/enumeration data [cen]
Individual, household
Version
Version 01: Microdata is not available
Scope
The scope of the 1981 Population Census of Nepal includes:
HOUSEHOLD: Household characteristics, household listing, household head, present members of the households, absentee members of the households, Number of deaths in the households, Physical and mental disabilities; radios in the households, Economic activities(agriculture and cottage industries)
INDIVIDUAL: Household members, Relation with household head, Sex, Age, Birth place, Citizenship, Mother tongue. Religion, Educational attainment, Marital Status, Economic activities and Profession
Coverage
National
The census covered all de jure household members (usual residents) in private households.
Producers and sponsors
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Central Bureau of Statistics | His Majesty's Government |
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| His Majesty's Government | Funding |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Rafiqul Huda Chaudhury | UNDTCD | Advisory role on Demography |
| Mr. H. N. Mulepati | UNFPA | Preparing the manuscript of the Population Monograph |
Survey instrument
The census questionnaire is the ultimate field document from which all data are compiled. Needless to say that the simpler is the questionnaire designed the greater will be the level of accuracy and easier the counting procedures and coding and editing of the items. The questionnaire used in 1981 census was pre-coded. The purpose of pre-coding was initially to minimize the answers to be written so that further editing and coding processes would also be minimized.
Individual Questionnaire
The individual characteristics questionnaire was more comprehensive in 1981 than in 1971.The items asked in individual schedule in 1981 census are:
- Zone
- District
- Urban/Village Panchyat
- Ward no.
- House no.
- Households serial number
- Enumerators name
- Enumeration date
- Supervisor`s name and signature
- Name of the family members
- Relation with household head
- Sex
- Age
- Birth place
- Citizenship
- Mother tongue
- Religion
- Educational attainment
- Marital Status
- Economic activities
- Profession
Household Questionnaire
The household characteristics questionnaire was also more comprehensive in 1981 than in 1971.The items asked in household schedule in 1981 census are,
- Zone
- District
- Urban/Village Panchyat
- Ward no.
- House no.
- Households serial number
- Enumerators name
- Enumeration date
- Supervisor`s name and signature
- Name of the household head
- Number of present members of the households- total, male, female
- Number of absentee members of the households- total, male, female
- Place of absentee and reason of leaving
- Number of deaths in the households in the past 12 months-male and female
- Physical and mental disabilities
- Number of radios in the households
- Economic activities (agriculture and cottage industries)
- Signature of the respondents
In order to simplify the job of editing and coding many of the items both in household and individual schedules were preceded. But there are some unavoidable problems with preceded answers. First, they make the questionnaires too long and unwieldy. This has what exactly happened with the 1981 questionnaires. One questionnaire is 21" long and 15.5" wide which is certainly too clumsy to carry around and complete. Secondly, in pre-coded questions the respondent is given a limited number of answers from which to choose which can often conceal information. Finally, once a tick has been put on the preceded answer there would be no way to check whether the interviewer did it correctly or not. It is, of course, necessary to have some answers preceded such as, “yes” or “No” type answers and some multiple choice responses but not at the cost of limiting response categories.
Data collection
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| 1981-06-05 | 1981-06-22 |
| Start date | End date |
|---|---|
| 1981-06-22 | 1981-06-22 |
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Central Bureau of Statistics | His Majesty's Government |
In 1981 attempts at improving the quality of the field work were made by increasing the ratio of supervisors to enumerators. The number of enumerators, supervisors and assistant supervisors was 15,000, 150 and 1,500 respectively. Though the ratio (enumerators to supervisors) still worked out to be 1 to 10 in 1981 it must be remembered that it was about 3 times higher than it was in 1971. However, the volume of work of a supervisor had also increased with the increase of population from 11.56 million in 1971 to 15.02 million in 1981. Each assistant supervisor was in charge of approximately two Panchayats and on an average looked after the work of 10 enumerators. Each enumerator covered not more than three wards depending upon the size of the population and the area of the ward. There were 2,935 Panchayats and 26,537 wards in 1981. In addition to this increase in the ratio of supervisors to enumerators the census work was so organized that for the first time in the history of census taking each administrative district of the kingdom had a separate census office headed by an officer, known as a. District Census Officer. The district officer was assisted by one supervisor and the latter in turn was assisted by a score of assistant supervisors. The district officers and the supervisors were rigorously trained for about 2 months in various aspects of census taking at headquarters while the assistant supervisors were recruited locally and trained at the district headquarters by the district census officer and supervisor. The enumerators were recruited locally and trained at the district headquarters by assistant supervisors. However, the educational qualification of the enumerators remained consistently low, i.e. the ability to read and write only.
- Planning and Organization of the Census
The legal provision for conducting periodic population censuses was made available in the Statistical Act 2015 dated 18 Marga 2015, of which clause number (4) has left the decision for compiling statistics on any topic to a written order, from His Majesty's Government. For each census conducted in Nepal by the Central Bureau of Statistics, a special Notice was issued in the Official Gazette defining the census organization, the responsibilities of the governmental and private institutions. They were to cooperate in an utmost and helpful manner with the Central Bureau of Statistics in providing all possible assistance to the Statistical Officers deputized by the C.B.S. for conducting the census.
Section (4) of the Statistical Act (2015) provides that "….HMG through a written Notice can order the compilation of data on any affair ………………to specify the schedules for the compilation of necessary information……………… and appoint or nominate authorized officers for the purpose of collecting such data ………………"
The Act obligates the individuals of any community under a written request to supply any information or data under their possession as specified in the order.
On the other hand, the Act has strictly guaranteed the confidentiality of all information provided to the officers, under section 8 ("………… the information collected under sections 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, regarding the individual family, household or company or parts thereof, should not be divulged, directly or indirectly, to any person except the Director or the Officers of Department without a written approval of the person concerned").This status closely follows the United Nation's recommendation for census legislation as set out in "Principles and Recommendations for National Population Censuses". (ST/STAT/SER.M/44) which state: "Legal authority for the census is required for fixing primary administrative responsibility, for obtaining the necessary funds, for determining
the general scope and timing o the census and for placing a legal obligation upon the public ………"."The principle of conceptual and organizational flexibility should be observed in drafting the census legislation. Thus, the inclusion of too rigid provisions regarding the type of data to be collected, or the structure and relationships of the various parts of the census organization are undesirable …………".
- Preparation and Administration
In 1981 attempts at improving the quality of the field work were made by increasing the ratio of supervisors to enumerators. This is further discussed in the section on Supervision below.
One other new feature of the 1981 census was that maps for all village Panchayats and ward level maps of the urban areas were prepared and used for the census operation. This eased the task of enumeration and supervision of census field work considerably. In this census also data was collected at ward level. However, details of the census data was published up to district level only. Some data was also made available at the Panchayat level. This included the total population and household counts only.
Each census operation was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, the supervisors were engaged to prepare a household list as comprehensively and accurately as possible and this was followed by the actual enumeration at the second stage by the enumerators. The coverage of the population census depends to a large extent on the accuracy of the household list. The household list was used as a guide
by the enumerators. The household schedule prior to 1981 collected the following conventional information: the serial number of the household, the name of the head of the household, the number of family members by sex and the name of the village. However, the household schedule of 1981 collected additional information such as morbidity and mortality, internal and external migration and the principal occupation of the head of the household, etc. This information when cross classified with other socio-economic data, collected at the level of the individual, would provide a unique opportunity to measure socio-economic differentials on various aspects of life.
The decennial censuses of the population of Nepal have been taken on a modified DE JURE basis since 1952/54. Every person was counted on the basis of his/her usual residence. The usual residence of a person means the place where he/she has been living at least for six months continuously. Visitors, i. e. those who have been living at a place for less than six months were counted in their usual place of residence rather than at their current place of residence. The inmates of prison, the students in a hostel and the armed forces in their barracks were counted as the residents of the places where they were found. Homeless people such as beggars, sages, hermits and vagrants, i. e. persons without any fixed household, were enumerated where they were found. Nepali nationals living in foreign countries for six months and above were considered absentees. Members of foreign diplomatic missions located in Nepal were excluded from the enumeration. However, foreign nationals other than those working in diplomatic missions who had been staying in Nepal at least for six months were included in the enumeration. Foreign nationals visiting during the entire enumeration period were excluded.
- The Census Day
The Census Day (CD) i.e. the last day of census was the 28th May (15thJestha) for the census of 1952/54. But for each of the succeeding censuses this was the 22nd June (8th Asadh).
- Post-enumeration Survey
About one month after the complete enumeration, post-enumeration survey (PES) began but because the manpower involved was not different from the main census operation, the quality of the PES data was highly suspect. Also the rainy season had just began which made the situation worse in the hills and mountains. In addition, it was found by external experts that the design and the questionnaire of the PES were not well thought out. For all these reasons no use was made of PES data to evaluate the total enumeration in 1981.
Data processing
A primary check on major inconsistencies was done by the field supervisors on the spot in order to tally the household schedule with the census questionnaire. The completed schedules were then returned to the headquarters from the field where further editing and coding procedures were completed by the supervisors. It was expected that a considerable proportion of unknown category will come about particularly regarding age, economic status, and other items. Regarding age some method was elaborated in pointing out a direct relationship between age and certain major events occurring during the last six or seven decades from which the enumerator, if the respondent fails to estimate his age, could deduce the respondent 's approximate age. It was thought that this method would ultimately give a better estimate of ages, instead of obtaining a very big category of unknown ages. Admittedly, this procedure had, to some extent given the enumerator, the liberty to estimate the respondent's age within the limits of a wide range, particularly, adult ages. The edited schedules were then sent for coding operation. For coding 20 supervisors and 200 coders were employed. The job was completed in less than 9 months.
Distributor information
| Organization name |
|---|
| Central Bureau of Statistics Thapathali Kathmandu Nepal Tel 977-1- 241803 Fax 977-1-227720 Email cbscls@wlink.com.np Web http://www.cbs.gov.np |
Data Access
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director General | Central Bureau of Statistics | http://cbs.gov.np/?page_id=17 | info@cbs.gov.np |
| Is signing of a confidentiality declaration required? | Confidentiality declaration text |
|---|---|
| yes | Confidentiality of the respondents is guaranteed by Article 8 of Statistics Act 1958. Restriction on publication of information and details Any information or details relating to any person, family, firm or company, which have been supplied, obtained or prepared pursuant to Section 3 or Section 4 or Section 5 or Section 6 or Section 7 or any part of such information or details, shall not be disclosed or published directly except to the Director General or to any other officer of the Bureau without the written permission of the person or of his or her authorized representative supplying such information or details. For the purpose of institution of any suit under this Act, nothing mentioned in Sub-section (1) shall be deemed to bar the production of such information before any court. |
Use of the dataset must be acknowledged using a citation which would include:
- the Identification of the Primary Investigator
- the title of the survey (including country, acronym and year of implementation)
- the survey reference number
- the source and date of download
Example:
Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Nepal. National Population Census 1981. Ref. NPL_1981_PHC_v01_M. Dataset downloaded fron [source] on [date].
Disclaimer and copyrights
The Central Bureau of Statistics Nepal bears no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences based upon any type of use of the data.
(c) 1981, Central Bureau of Statistics, Nepal
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director: Publication, Dissemination and Library Section | Central Bureau of Statistics | archive@cbs.gov.np | http://cbs.gov.np/?page_id=17 |
| The World Bank Microdata Library | http://microdata.worldbank.org |
Metadata production
DDI_NPL_1981_PHC_v01_M
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Binod Sharan Acharya, Statistical Officer | Central Bureau of Statistics | Metadata Documentation of the Census |
| Accelerated Data Program | International Household Survey Network | Editing for IHSN Survey Catalog |
2012-03-12
Metadata version
Version 1.0 - Central Bureau of Statistics - Original documentation of the study.
Version 2.0 - Edited version by ADP based on Version 1.0 of CBS downloaded from http://cbs.gov.np/nada/index.php/catalog on 29 April 2013.