Mortality analysis is an important part of the demographic analysis of
census data. Using the tabulated census data released by census authority,
this paper examines the quality of census data, calculates the mortality
indicators of the 2000 population census, and analyses the levels and
patterns of reported mortality in the last decade in China. The paper finds
no obvious age preference and age heaping. However, underreporting inage and death counts is found to be serious, especially among young
children and young adults, resulting in a lower reported mortality than the
actual figure. Due to the more hazardous occupations of male migrant
labourers in urban areas, females have experienced a more rapid decline
in mortality, especially among young adults in urban areas. However,
excess female infant mortality is increasing, especially in rural areas. The
direction of further thorough analysis of mortality data from the 2000
census is also discussed.