1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background

Demographic and other socio-economic data are required for development planning. Demographic information includes indicators like birth rate, death rate, age composition, spatial distribution, migration patterns, among others. These indicators are important to enhance planning in sectors such as labour force, education, health, etc.

In most countries, especially the developing ones, population censuses are the main source of demographic statistics. In Liberia, other sources of statistics like vital registration, sample surveys, administrative records and community or civil registration offer very limited demographic statistics mainly because they are not yet fully operational. In addition, the civil strife in the last two decades made the situation worse by destroying national data banks. The demographic statistics from the censuses of 1962, 1974 and 1984 and socio-economic surveys conducted prior to the civil conflict are either extremely scanty or completely lost. Furthermore, most of the demographic statistics that survived the civil strife are no longer relevant to the situation on the ground mainly because of massive population displacements and/or resettlements.

In this respect, the Government of Liberia considered the 2008 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) a necessary prerequisite for assessing the socio-economic situation of its population. It attaches great importance to the determination of the current numbers and distribution of the population in pursuance of its programme for national development. Therefore, the census organization provided for participation at all levels of Government, civil society and non-governmental organizations through the formation of committees, working in close collaboration with and under the direct supervision of the Census Commission.