PAKISTAN

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

Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan, 69-E Adeel Plaza, Blue Area, Islamabad.

 2. Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1951, 1961, 1972, 1981 and 1998.  The present description relates to the 1998 population census (held on 5-18 March).

3. Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope: Whole country.     

(b) Persons covered: All Pakistani nationals of all ages.   

4. Reference period:

The year preceding the census day.    

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.

(b) Employment:  Considered as employed are all persons who, during the reference period, were working for pay or profit.  Persons not working but looking for work including temporarily laid off and unpaid family helpers were included.  Members of the armed forces were also included but their precise occupation/industry was not recorded.  Non-Pakistanis were excluded.  The questions used to determine whether a person is to be counted as employed were: “Did you do any work other than household work in the last year?” and “What kind of work did you usually do during the last year?”.

It is reported that the following categories are included:                                        

i)         persons doing unpaid work in family firm or business;          

ii)        persons engaged in production for own consumption;            

iii)       persons, temporarily absent from a job;                     

iv)       working students with a part-time job;                                   

v)         seasonal or occasional workers;                                            

vi)       apprentices and trainees:

Persons belonging to categories (i), (iv) and (vi) can be identified separately.

(c) Unemployment: Considered as unemployed are all persons who, during the reference period, were looking for work, had worked but were presently laid off.  The questions used to determine whether a person is to be counted as unemployed were “Were you really looking for work?” and “Were you presently laid off but had worked previously?”.  A question on the reason for unemployment was also asked.

7. Classifications used:

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

(a) Industry: Based on the question “What is the nature of the activity of the organization/establishment/business in which you worked?”.   For coding industry, 38 groups of the national classification were used.   Links to ISIC-rev.3 have been established at the one-digit level.

(b) Occupation:  Based on the question “What was the main job, profession, trade or kind of work you usually performed during the last year?”.  For coding occupation, 28 groups of the national classification were used.  Links to ISCO-88 have been established at the one-digit       level.

(c) Status in employment: Persons were asked to indicate their status in employment.  To code this variable the following six groups were used:  Self-employed; Government employee; Autonomous bodies employee; Employee (private); Employer; Unpaid family helper.

 (d) Level of education: Based on the question “What level have you completed/passed?”.  For coding this variable the following ten groups were used:  Below primary; Primary; Middle; Matriculation; Intermediate; BA/BSc or equivalent; MA/MSc or equivalent; Professional certificates; Diploma/Certificate; Others.  Links to ISCED-97 have been established.    

8. Main differences compared with the previous census:

No major differences.

9. Publication of the census results:

The final results of the census were published by December 2001 in a series of reports at the district, provincial and national levels.  

The title of the publication containing the final results is “1998 Census reports at district, provincial and national level”. 

The organization responsible for the publication is the Population Census Organization, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan.

The census data are also available in the form of diskettes and are partially available on the website of the Population Census Organization (www.Stat.Pak.Gov.PK).