VII. People in the census household

For women 12 years old or older
[Question 20 - 24 were asked of women age 12 years old or older]

24. Date of birth of last child

Questions for females aged 12 and older
The purpose of questions 20-24 is to obtain information that allows estimates as to the level and trend of fertility, mortality, and growth of the population.

[p. 68]

The enumerator must be dedicated and careful in order to obtain the appropriate information in this important question set. Ask all females older than 12, regardless of their marital status.

If possible, ask girls and women directly. They may forget sometimes, and state that children who have died were live-born, or are alive living elsewhere, and newborns. Keep this in mind so as to avoid missing anyone.

Note that information about live-born children should include all children that the girl or woman has had, either as the result of a marriage or cohabitation, or from a current or former marriage.

Remember that the following questions are to be asked of all girls or women aged 12 and older, regardless of their current marital status.

24. Date of birth of last child
Ask, "What was the date of birth of your last live-born child?" Ask this question even if he/she later died or is now living elsewhere. Record the answer in the appropriate grid spaces, using two digits for the day, two for the month and two for the year.

[A graphic of box 24, "date of birth of last live-born child," is reproduced on the left-hand side of the page.]

If the respondent does not know the last live-born child's date of birth, do everything possible to get this information.