Population Censuses in Post-Conflict Countries The Liberian Experience

Population Censuses in Post-Conflict Countries The Liberian Experience Presented By: Dr. T. Edward Liberty Director - General LISGIS 41st Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, UNHQ, New York, 19-26 February 2010 Side Events, 25th February 2010 at 1:50 – 3:00 pm LISGIS

Outline Brief History of Censuses 2008 NPHC Achievements Lessons Learnt Way Forward Conclusion LISGIS

Brief History of Censuses Since its independence in 1847, Liberia has conducted 5 censuses; they are: • 1. The 1962 Population Census • 2. The 1971 Agriculture Census • 3. The 1974 Population and Housing Census • 4. The 1984 Population and Housing Census • 5. The 2008 National Population and Housing Census, the post-conflict census LISGIS

Brief History of Censuses Cont’d Due to the 14 years of Civil Crisis, the 1984 Population and Housing Census data was never analyzed and published Liberia did not participate in the 1990 and 2000 World Round of Population and Housing Censuses LISGIS

Brief History of Censuses Cont’d LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Rationales for conducting the census • The results of the 1984 census were lost in the civil crisis before they were analyzed and published • Liberia did not conduct a census in 1994 and 2004 • Most of the Liberia’s data banks were completely destroyed in the civil crisis LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census • Rationales for conducting the census Cont’d • Inadequate or non-existent demographic and socio-economic data available for socioeconomic development planning • Only scanty data mainly from sample surveys based on the 1984 Sampling Frame were available at the national and regional levels • A need to bridge the data gap by generating needed socio-economic data for formulating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating development programmes

2008 National Population and Housing Census Rationales for conducting the census Cont’d • Most of all, the Goodwill from the newly elected Democratic Government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf entertained the need to conduct a fresh census. • The Government decided in November 2006 to participate in the 2010 World Round of Censuses by conducting a National Population and Housing Census in March 2008 • Upon the request of the Government, UNFPA assisted LISGIS to prepare a project document with the following objectives: LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Long-terms objectives of the census • To update the population database, i.e., improve knowledge on the social, demographic and economic characteristics of the population of Liberia • Arrive at better understanding of population and development inter-relationship in order to elaborate coherent social and economic development programme • To establish a national database for monitoring and evaluation of socio-economic development programmes such as the poverty reduction strategy (PRS), the County Development Agendas (CDA) and the MDGs. LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Specific objectives of the census – to ascertain • Size, composition and spatial distribution of the population • Levels of education attained by the population • Size and deployment of the labor force • Prevalence of disability and its spread • Levels of fertility, mortality and migration LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Specific objectives of the census – to ascertain Rate and pattern of urbanization Housing conditions and availability of social amenities Access to basic social services Participation in agriculture production LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Budget by Main Phases Year of Execution (US$) LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Budget by Source of Funding, Year and Funding Gap (US$) LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Legal Authority to conduct the census • One Constitutional Article and two Laws provide the basis for undertaking the 2008 NPHC • Article 39 of the Constitution states “The Legislature shall cause a census of the Republic to be under taken every ten years.” • The 52th National Legislature enacted the Law on April 21, 2007 empowering the Executive Branch of Government to conduct the census on March 2008 • Section 50A.8.6 of LISGIS Act states “LISGIS shall conduct censuses and surveys.” LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Institutional Framework of the census • 22 National Census Commissioners, 7 Ex-Officio and 32 Regional Commissioners were appointed by the President of the Republic of Liberia; the National Census Commission was chaired and co-chaired by the Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs and the Director-General of LISGIS • The main functions of the Census Commissioners and the other bodies were to formulate policy, provide general guidelines, mobilize resources and monitor the implementation of the census activities • However, the Regional Commissioners were not commissioned instead the Council of Chiefs and Elders were requested to sensitize citizens and residents within their respective areas LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Institutional Framework of the census • Also a forum for Development Partners meeting was Established • Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs Chairman • LISGIS Member & Secretary • Minister of Finance Member • Director-General of the Budget Member • UNFPA Member • USAID Member • UNMIL Member • UNDP Member • The main TOR for the Development Partners Meeting was to mobilize fund for the census LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Publicity and Advocacy • LISGIS extensively used the print and electronic medias • Traditional Chiefs and Elders assisted LISGIS with the civil education • A private communication NGO, the Liberia Crusader for Peace (LCP), was contracted to conduct door to door sensitization throughout the country LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census • Census Cartography/Mapping • The census cartography/mapping exercise started in March 2007 and was completed in January 2008, a month before the field Enumeration • An UNFPA Cartographic Technical Advisor and about 100 local cartographers and household listing clerks were recruited to demarcate the entire country into enumeration areas (EAs) using GPS equipment • Satellite images were used to map urban areas, while free hand sketches were employed to map the rural areas LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Census Cartography/Mapping Cont’d • The maps and list of households were sent to the GIS Laboratory at LISGIS Head Office for processing • A total of about 7,020 EAs were demarcated LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Census Cartography/Mapping Cont’d LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Census Field Enumeration A Pilot Survey was conducted in March 2007, its data analysis completed in September 2007 and based on the analysis, the census instruments were prepared The printing of the census instruments was out sourced The census instruments were designed, developed, printed and ready for shipment to the field by January 2008 when a key partner withdrew its support; at this point, the President gave up her personal luxury in support of the census A total of about 11,250 field staff, including county coordinators; county, district and field supervisors; and enumerators, were recruited, trained for 5 days, and deployed to conduct the enumeration LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Census Field Enumeration The field enumeration was conducted from 21st – 30th March 2008 using De Facto Method; and the Post Enumeration Survey (PES) was conducted in May 2008 The preliminary results of the census were released by the President of the Republic of Liberia in June 2008 putting the population at 3,489,072 Five UNFPA short and long term International Consultants were recruited to assist LISGIS implement the above activities LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Census Data Processing A total of about 100 coders and 100 data entry clerks were recruited and trained for about a month to code and enter the data, respectively These clerks worked on two shifts, first shift worked from 8am-7pm and the second from 7pm-6am 7 days a week and they completed the exercise within 6 months, commencing in July and ending in December 2008 One long-term UNFPA International Data Processing Consultant was recruited to train and assist LISGIS data processing staff The final results were released by the Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs in May 2009 putting the population at 3,476,608 , which is 0.4% less than the preliminary result; see www.lisgis.org LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Data Analysis and Dissemination • 15 thematic topics have been identified to be considered for analysis between now and December 2009; these include 1) Census Administrative Report, 2) Fertility, 3) Nuptiality, 4) Labor Force, 5) Population Projection, 6) Youth and Adolescent, 7) Gender Dimension, 8) Housing and Household Characteristics, 9) Migration and Urbanization, 10) Mortality, 11) Population Dynamics, 12) Poverty, 13) Agriculture, 14) Disability, 15) Literacy and Education • Massive dissemination exercise is being planned to take place between July and December 2010 LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Achievements • Trained about 20 LISGIS staff how to use GPS tools to produce maps • Trained more than 11,000 persons throughout the country how to interview household members in surveys and censuses • Placed 3 senior staff are in the University of Uganda to study at graduate level in the areas of demography and econometric • About 10 LISGIS personnel have been trained in the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) software and the census data has been uploaded into the software LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Achievements Cont’d • Provided short-term training for LISGIS staff in GIS and demography in Kenya and Sierra Lone • Secured and equipped LISGIS Head Office with office furniture and communication, and transport equipment • Established modern GIS laboratory and data process facility at LISGIS Head Office • Successfully developed a National Sampling Frame for conduct of researches, surveys and censuses, IMIS Database and CensusInfo • (A DEMO AT THE END OF THIS PRESENTATION) LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Lessons Learnt & Challenges Great interest by the government for the conduct of the census Limited capacity to conduct/manage data compilation at LISGIS before the 2008 census Limited physical infrastructure and human resources to compile, analyze and disseminate reliable survey and census data Funds were not available when needed and as such implementation schedules were impacted LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Visual Photos of Challenges (Trunk road) LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Visual Photos of Challenges (Mapping) LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Way Forward • There is a need to mobilize funds in order to bridge the funding gap, which is needed for the data analysis and dissemination of the census results • There is a need to conduct a CensusInfo Workshop for LISGIS staff as well as upload the census data into the CensusInfo software • There is an urgent need for a technical assistance in the areas of data analysis and dissemination of census data LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census Acknowledgement We acknowledge the Government of Liberia and its Development Partners, particularly the UNFPA, for giving us the support to conduct the first post-war census and also, after 24 years since the last census was conducted. Other Partners are USAID, UNMIL, UNDP, UNICEF, EC, WB/PARIS21, UNSD and AfDB LISGIS

2008 National Population and Housing Census • We also thank the UNSD, ECOWAS and the organizers of the 41st Session of the UN Statistical Commission for inviting and supporting us to come and share our experiences LISGIS

THANK YOU FORYOUR ATTENTION LISGIS

Population Censuses in Post-Conflict Countries The Liberian Experience