Liberia, which became an independent state in 1847, conducted its 1st census in 1962; the population was then 1,016,443. Between 1969-1971 a survey on population growth was done, which estimated population growth to be 2.9-3.5%. The 2nd national census was done in 1974, and counted a population of 1.5 million and a population growth rate of 3.3%. The census of 1974, based on a questionnaire containing 26 precise questions, better defined the status of citizenship, the size of all rural and urban populations, 70.9% and 29.1% (the percentages were in 1962, 80.2% and 19.8%, respectively), and the percentage of illiterate people, 79% as opposed to 91% in 1962. It is possible that the 1974 census recorded a global underregistration of 11%. Crude birth rate is estimated to be 40-50/1000, and mortality rate 17-27/1000. 41% of the population is below age 15, and the dependency burden is 80/100. It is indispensible to improve as soon as possible the collection and the analysis of data in Liberia.