Sources and Methods: Labour Statistics
Volume 5: Population Censuses

Burundi

1.Name and address of the organization responsible for the census:

Département de la Population, Bureau Central de Recensement, Pavillon administratif No. 3, B.P. 174, Gitega.

2.Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1979 and 1990. The present description relates to the 1990 census (which refers to the night of 15 to 16 August).

3.Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope

Whole territory.

(b) Persons covered

All persons of all ages.

4.Reference period:

The six months preceding the date of the census (in other words, 15 February to 15 August 1990). Persons who did not work at all during this period were asked if they had worked before.

5.Main topics:

(a) Total population, by sex and age: yes

Economically active population by:

(b) Sex and age group: yes

(c) Industry: yes

(d) Occupation: yes

(e) Status in employment: yes

(f) Highest educational level: yes

(g) Hours of work: no

(h) Other characteristics: yes

Re (a): The age is defined in terms of age at last birthday.

Re (h): Information was also collected regarding the trade learned by employed persons and by unemployed persons.

6.Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population

It comprises all persons aged 10 years and over who, during the reference period, were most either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below. The definition also includes members of the armed forces living in ordinary households (an ordinary household is generally defined as a group of persons, whether related or not, who share the same dwelling and who, in general, meet their food and other basic needs together. A household may be composed of one or more persons).

(b) Employment

Considered as employed are all persons who, during the reference period, most had an occupation, function or any economic activity. Farmers, livestock breeders and women who, in addition to household work, also engage regularly in field or other work for pay or income, are also covered by the definition. The question asked was: During most of the six months preceding 15 August, was X: (1) employed; (2) unemployed; (3) student; (4) homemaker; (5) retired; (6) other. Working students with a part-time job are excluded from the definition.

It is reported that the following categories are included:

  1. persons engaged in the production of primary products for own consumption;
  2. employed persons, temporarily absent from work;
  3. seasonal or occasional workers;
  4. conscripts (military or civilian service) living in ordinary households;
  5. apprentices and trainees.
Only persons belonging to category (i) can be identified separately. Students who can work part time or occasionally (for example during the holidays), as well as persons doing unpaid work in family firm or business, although not part of the economically active population, may nevertheless be identified separately.

(c) Unemployment

Considered as unemployed are all persons who, during the reference period, had done no work and were looking either for their first job or for a new job. The definition also covers persons who, though wishing to work, were not actively seeking work because they considered that they had no chance of finding a job, as well as persons who were expecting to take up paid employment within the next 30 days.

7.Classifications used:

Only employed persons are classified by industry, by occupation and by status in employment.

(a) Industry

Based on the questions: In what industry or branch of economic activity does Mr. or Mrs. X work? and What is the activity of the production unit (modern or traditional) in which Mr. or Mrs. X works?. The industry corresponds to the economic sector in which a person who reported a primary activity during the reference period was employed. For coding industry, 10 groups were used. Links to the ISIC-rev.2 have been established to the major division (1-digit) level.

(b) Occupation

Based on the question: What was X's occupation during the six months preceding 15 August 1990?. The occupation corresponds to the type of work performed by an employed person; it is related, not to the rank, grade, function or trade of the person, but only to the nature of the work actually performed during the reference period. For coding occupation, 10 major groups were used. Links to the ISCO-88 have been established to the major group (1-digit) level.

(c) Status in employment

Based on the question: As regards the occupation in question, was Mr. or Mrs. X: employer, employee, self-employed, apprentice, family helper or pieceworker?. For coding status in employment, the above six categories were used. Additional questions were asked to determine whether self-employed persons worked on their own account or employed other workers.

8.Main differences compared with the previous census:

In the 1979 census:

(a) The reference period used when asking questions on the economically active population, employment and unemployment was the week preceding the day of the census.

(b) The question on skills was not asked.

(c) The questions concerning industry, occupation and status in employment were asked of both employed persons and unemployed persons.

9.Publication of the census results:

The publication containing the final census results was to have come out in 1992.

The organization responsible for this publication is the Département de la Population, Bureau Central de Recensement, B.P. 174, Gitega.

The results of the 1990 census are also available in the form of unpublished tables containing raw data and diskettes.