Sources and Methods: Labour Statistics
Volume 5: Population Censuses

Benin

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

Institut National de la Statistique et de l'Analyse Economique, Bureau central du recensement, B.P. 323, Cotonou.

2.Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1979 and 1992. The present description relates to the 1992 census (held from 15 to 29 February).

3.Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope

Whole territory.

(b) Persons covered

All persons of all ages, except members of the diplomatic corps and nationals residing abroad.

4.Reference period:

The three-month period preceding the day of the interview.

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: no

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

6.Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population

It comprises all persons aged 10 years and over who, during the reference period, were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below. However, published data relating to the economically active population, employment and unemployment refer only to persons aged from 10 to 65 years. The definition covers all members of the armed forces. Working students with a part-time job and students seeking work are excluded from the definition.

(b) Employment

Considered as employed are all persons who worked at least one week during the reference period (the previous three months). Also considered as employed are women who, in addition to household work, also worked on their own account or in a family business (salesperson, seamstress, farmer, potter). The question used is: Occupation: Employed; first-time jobseeker; unemployed; homemaker; pupil or student; self-sufficient.

It is reported that the following categories are included:

  1. persons doing unpaid work in family firm or business;
  2. persons engaged in the production of primary products for own consumption;
  3. employed persons, temporarily absent from work;
  4. seasonal or occasional workers;
  5. conscripts for military/civilian service;
  6. apprentices and trainees.
Only persons belonging to categories (i) and (vi) can be identified separately.

(c) Unemployment

Considered as unemployed are all persons who had been previously employed but who, during the reference period, were without work and seeking work. First-time jobseekers are identified separately.

7.Classifications used:

Both employed persons and unemployed persons previously employed are classified by industry, by occupation and by status in employment.

(a) Industry

Based on the question: What is the primary activity of the worker's enterprise or employer? In respect of unemployed persons, the industry is determined by reference to their last employment. For coding industry, nine groups were used. Links to the ISIC-rev.2 have been established to the division (1-digit) level.

(b) Occupation

Census agents were asked to put the question according to the instruction manual, which refers to the primary occupation or major activity of the person in question during the reference period. For unemployed persons, the question concerned the last occupation prior to the reference period. Respondents were asked to avoid vague replies such as: merchant, official, etc..., but to specify, for example: seller of cloth, seller of fritters, police inspector, tax inspector, etc... For coding occupation, nine groups were used. Links to the ISCO-68 have been established to the major group (1-digit) level.

(c) Status in employment

Based on the question: What was the employed person's status in employment during the reference period?. For coding this variable, eight groups were used, namely: self-employed; employer; permanent employee; temporary employee; member of a cooperative; apprentice; family helper; other.

8.Main differences compared with the previous census:

The 1979 census had used the month preceding the census date as the reference period.

9.Publication of the census results:

The final data were published in December 1993 in the following publication: Deuxième recensement général de la population et de l'habitation, février 1992, Volume I, résultats définitifs.

The organization responsible for this publication is Institut National de la Statistique et de l'analyse économique, Bureau central du recensement (BCR), B.P. 323, Cotonou.

The census data is also available in the form of Bernoulli cartridges.