Organised by Minnesota Population Centre Held in Lisbon, Portugal, 22 – 26 August 2007 IPUMS Global Workshop “Integrating Global Census Microdata” in conjunction with the 56 th International Statistical Institute

Country Report of Mauritius Presented by Mrs. N.Gujadhur Central Statistics Office Mauritius 25 August August 2007

Islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues Capital: Port Louis Capital: Port Louis Population : 1.26 mn Population : 1.26 mn Population growth rate: 0.7% Population growth rate: 0.7% Area: 2,040 km 2 Area: 2,040 km 2 Population density: 616 persons/km 2 Population density: 616 persons/km 2 GDP (US$) : 6.6 bn GDP (US$) : 6.6 bn Monetary unit: MRupees Monetary unit: MRupees Literacy rate : 85% Literacy rate : 85% Languages: English & Languages: English & French French

Census taking in Mauritius 1st complete Census in the Island of Mauritius was undertaken in st complete Census in the Island of Mauritius was undertaken in 1735 Since then, censuses have been taken in 1846, 1851 and upto 1931, censuses were taken every 10 years. Since then, censuses have been taken in 1846, 1851 and upto 1931, censuses were taken every 10 years. After the 2nd World War, the ten-yearly programme was resumed and Housing and Population censuses were undertaken in: After the 2nd World War, the ten-yearly programme was resumed and Housing and Population censuses were undertaken in: 1952, 1962, 1972, 1952, 1962, 1972, 1983, 1990 and , 1990 and 2000

Housing & Population Censuses (HPC) were conducted in the Island of Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega. Housing & Population Censuses (HPC) were conducted in the Island of Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega. Enumeration forms, Instructions & codebooks were the main source of documentation used during the 1990 & 2000 HPC. Enumeration forms, Instructions & codebooks were the main source of documentation used during the 1990 & 2000 HPC.  1st round - Housing census  Chief Enumerators enumerated all buildings, housing units, households, commercial establishments, hotels, institutions etc.  Enumeration Books, each containing 25 Housing forms. Census Documentation

 2nd round - Population census  Enumerators enumerated all persons present on census night as well as usual residents who were away on census night.  A Population questionnaire was used to collect information on individuals. Details instructions were provided to Supervisors, Chief Enumerators and Enumerators to facilitate fieldwork. Details instructions were provided to Supervisors, Chief Enumerators and Enumerators to facilitate fieldwork. A Census Guide and Instructions was also given to head of household for completing the Population questionnaire. A Census Guide and Instructions was also given to head of household for completing the Population questionnaire. Census Documentation (Cont’d)

History of Microdata For the 1990 & 2000 censuses in the Republic of Mauritius, as scheduled in the calendar of activities :- For the 1990 & 2000 censuses in the Republic of Mauritius, as scheduled in the calendar of activities :- - Housing censuses started in the 1 st week of February and were completed by mid-April. - Housing censuses started in the 1 st week of February and were completed by mid-April. - Population censuses were conducted from the last week of June to mid-July. - Population censuses were conducted from the last week of June to mid-July. Field force consisted of Senior Supervisors, Supervisors, Chief Enumerators and Enumerators. Field force consisted of Senior Supervisors, Supervisors, Chief Enumerators and Enumerators.

Contents of Microdata files 1990 & 2000 Population Censuses 1990 & 2000 Population Censuses The microdata files entrusted to IPUMS-Int. contained nearly all variables available from the 1990 & 2000 PCs. - Household Variables - Family Variables - Household & Family structure - Geography & Internal migration - International migration - Demographic and Social Variables - Fertility & Mortality - Education - Disability - Economic Variables - Other Variables - Other Variables

1990 & 2000 Housing Censuses 1990 & 2000 Housing Censuses Contents of Microdata files The microdata files contained almost all variables available from the 1990 & 2000 Housing Censuses, with the exception of names and addresses of households. - Dwelling Variables - Dwelling Variables - Building Variables - Facilities - Household Variables - Other building variables

List of variables that were conceptually comparable:- Variables 1990 Census 2000 Census - Relationship to Head X X - Age X X - Sex X X - Whereabout on Census night X X - Usual Address X X - Citizenship X X - Usual address 5 years ago X X - Disability X X - Marital Status X X - Age at first marriage X X - Whether married more than once X X - Number of children ever born X X Harmonisation – Population censuses Since censuses in the Republic are based on UN Principles & Recommendations for HPC, definitions & concepts of variables are more or less consistent from one census to another.

Harmonisation–Population censuses (Cont’d) Variables 1990 Census 2000 Census - Religion X X - Linguistic Group X X - Language usually spoken X X - School Attendance X X - Primary and secondary education X X - No. of Hours worked during X X the week preceding census X X the week preceding census X X - If the person hold a job X X - If the person take any X X active steps to find a job X X active steps to find a job X X - Availability of the person to work X X - When the person last worked X X

Harmonisation-Population censuses (Cont’d)  Variables 1990 Census 2000 Census - Name & type of establishment X X - Kind of business, industry or service X X or service X X - Place of work X X - Occupation X X - Employment status X X - Length of service with Employer X X Some variables were not compatible for the two censuses. - Questions on Disability & Education were set differently. - Some variables have extended their categories. - A question on income was first introduced in the 2000 census.

List of variables that were conceptually comparable:- Variables 1990 Census 2000 Census Variables 1990 Census 2000 Census - Type of Building X X - Storey above Ground Floor X X - Year of completion of building X X - Principal Material of construction used X X - Ownership X X - Occupancy X X - Water supply X X - Domestic water Tank/Reservoir X X - Availability of electricity X X - Toilet facilities X X - Bathing facilities X X - Availability of Kitchen X X - Refuse disposal X X Harmonisation-Housing censuses

Harmonistation-Housing censuses (cont’d) Household Variables 1990 Census 2000 Census - Household Number X X - Household Type X X - Name and Address of HHold X X - No. of persons-T-M-F X X - Tenure X X - No. of rooms for - Living purposes X X - Business/Professional X X - Monthly Rent X X - Principal Fuel used - for Cooking X X - Commercial & Industrial establishments X X establishments X X The definitions and concepts for the last two censuses were almost the same. The definitions and concepts for the last two censuses were almost the same. Inclusion of a question on fruit trees. Inclusion of a question on fruit trees.

Completeness of enumeration For the 1990 and 2000 HPC in the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues & Agalega – 100% coverage. For the 1990 and 2000 HPC in the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues & Agalega – 100% coverage. To attain this completeness of enumeration:- To attain this completeness of enumeration:-  Series of maps were prepared by officers of the CSO and given to fieldstaff.  One or two weeks before the Housing census, Chief Enumerators had to make field reconnaissance.  An addressed Population questionnaire was printed for each household, vacant household, building under construction, hotel, Institutions etc.  Some blank questionnaires were given to Enumerators in case of missing or moved households.  Regular visits on field were effected by Senior supervisors and supervisors.

1990 Housing Census 1990 Housing Census - Table reports were completed in November Housing Census 2000 Housing Census - Table reports were completed in October Population Census 1990 Population Census - Table reports were completed in November Table reports were completed in November Population Census 2000 Population Census - Table reports were completed in October Table reports were completed in October 2001Publications  1990 & 2000 Housing and Population Censuses Detailed result were published in 7 volumes of table reports covering demographic, education, disability, economic characteristics etc. Data evaluation and analysis report were published in 10 volumes on Educational, Housing& Household, Economic characteristics etc. All publications are posted on the CSO website: For the 2000 HPC, main results of the 2 census rounds were published in 2 issues of Economic & Social indicators.

Research possibilities According to the 2000 Statistics Act - Section 19, information on census was made available solely for bona fide research and statistical purposes. According to the 2000 Statistics Act - Section 19, information on census was made available solely for bona fide research and statistical purposes. After seeking the approval of the Minister, data were made available to international, regional as well as national organisations. Release of data to:- After seeking the approval of the Minister, data were made available to international, regional as well as national organisations. Release of data to:- - World bank - World bank - University of Mauritius - University of Mauritius - Students and, last but not least - Students and, last but not least - IPUMS-International. - IPUMS-International.

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