Sources and Methods: Labour Statistics
Volume 5: Population Censuses

Comoros

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

Direction générale du Plan, Direction de la Statistique, B.P. 131, Moroni.

2.Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1958, 1966, 1980 and 1991. The present description relates to the 1991 general population and housing census (held on 15 September).

3.Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope

Whole area, excluding the Island of Mayotte (administered by France).

(b) Persons covered

All persons of all ages, except members of the diplomatic corps and their families.

4.Reference period:

One month (August 1991).

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 on the monthly remuneration of employees.

6.Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population

It comprises all persons aged 12 years and over who, during the reference period, were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below. Members of the armed forces are excluded from the definition.

(b) Employment

Employment is determined on the basis of the question: During the month of August, was X: permanent employee; temporary employee; unemployed; first-time jobseeker; homemaker; pupil or student; retired or of independent means; other non-working person. Considered as permanently employed are employed persons permanently engaged in an economic activity who worked at least three weeks during the reference month (unless not at work owing to illness, leave or vacation). Working students with a part-time job are excluded from the definition.

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. apprentices and trainees.
Only persons belonging to categories (i), (iv) and (v) 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 are classified by industry. Only employed persons are classified by occupation and by status in employment.

(a) Industry

Based on the question: What is the activity of the firm or establishment in which X works (or last worked, if now unemployed)?. Links to the ISIC have not been established.

(b) Occupation

Based on the question: During the month of August 1991, what was X's primary occupation?. For coding occupation, eight groups were used. Links to the ISCO have not been established.

(c) Status in employment

Based on the question: In his occupation, is X an employer; self-employed; public-sector employee; private-sector employee; unpaid apprentice; piece-worker; family worker. For coding this variable, these seven groups were used.

8.Main differences compared with the previous census:

No major difference.

9.Publication of the census results:

The title of the publication containing the final census results is: Résultats du recensement général de la population et de l'habitat, 1991; it was expected to come out in summer 1996.

The organization responsible for this publication is Direction Nationale du recensement, B.P. 131, Moroni.

The census data are to be available also in the form of diskettes.