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Bangladesh Population Census 1981

Bangladesh, 1981
Population & Housing Census
BANGLADESH BUREAU OF STATISTICS
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Identification

idno
BGD-BBS-BPC-1981-v01
Title
Bangladesh Population Census 1981
Country
Name Country code
Bangladesh BGD
Abstract
Population censuses in the area now constituting Bangladesh have been taken over one hundred years. The first census of population in the area was taken in 1872 as part of the census of British India. In 1881 the census was again conducted and since then censuses had been carried out every ten years until 1961. After independence of Bangladesh, the first census of population of the country, scheduled in 1971, was delayed due to the war of liberation. It was taken in 1974. For returning to the decennial periodicity as adhered to traditionally, the second population census of the country was conducted in 1981. A successful census taking in Bangladesh is rather a difficult task, especially because of high population density and low literacy rate. The problems which are commonly faced concern coverage error, quality respondent response and timely data processing. Without a very well planned logistics and backstopping, it is indeed impossible to overcome coverage error in situation of very high density of population and wide.spread illiteracy among people. High illiteracy rate is a great constraint in eliciting reliable response in enumeration unless easily understandable, thoroughly verified questionnaires are adopted in field inquiries. Processing data of the census in time is another real hurdle encountered in view of a large population size.In order to accomplish the objective of carrying out a very precise census of population in 1981, very elaborate and intensively scrutinised procedures were worked out and a complete comprehensive plan for the census was developed and followed. Contrary to the tradition, the census plan operational approach emphasis was on executing field enumerations in two phases with first phase devoted to full or 100 percent enumeration of households and individuals and second phase to sample enumeration. This dual enumeration scheme for the census was resolved on solemn determination to achive the following goals In full enumeration programme, ensure the counting of every individual of the country and precisely determine distribution of population; account for each and every household across all parts of the country; generate reliable data of selected basic characteristics of individuals and households; and present enumeration results on expeditiously finishing data orocessing work. Obtain from sample enumeration phase detailed information about socio-econornic and demographic characteristics of population.
Kind of Data
Census/enumeration data [cen]

Version

Version Date
1984-08-21

Producers and sponsors

Authoring entity/Primary investigators
Agency Name
BANGLADESH BUREAU OF STATISTICS
Funding Agency/Sponsor
Name Abbreviation
Statistics and Informatics Dividion SID

Data Collection

Dates of Data Collection (YYYY/MM/DD)
Start date End date
1981-03-06 1981-03-08
Mode of data collection
Face-to-face [f2f]
Type of Research Instrument
The short questionnaire canvassed for the main census contained basic household and individual characteristics. In all 10 household and 9 individual characteristics outlined below were covered nation wide through the questionnaire and data collected during field enumeration.

(A) HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS

Household address
Use of main structure
Wall material of main structure
Roof material of main structure
Source of drinking water supply
Ownership of the homestead
Whether the household owns farm land, country boat or bullock-cart
Types of household / cottage industry the household operates for sale of products
Whether the household belongs to tribal group
Religion of head of household

(B) INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS

Name
Age
Relationship with head of household
Sex
Marital status
Literacy
Whether attending any educational institution
Highest giade passed
Main activity

Each questionnaire had space for registering maximum 10 members on one sheet. The questionnaire format had been made amenable to optical mark reading (OMR).
Data Collectors
Name Abbreviation Affiliation
BANGLADESH BUREAU OF STATISTICS SID Ministry of Planning

Data access

Contact

Metadata production

Document ID
DDI-BGD-BBS-BPC-1981-v01
Producers
Name Abbreviation Affiliation Role
BANGLADESH BUREAU OF STATISTICS BBS Statistics and Informatics Dividion Documentation of the study
Date of Production
2019-09-01
Document version
Version 1