| Census characteristics |
| |
1987 |
1998 |
2008 |
| Title |
1987 Population and Housing Census |
1998 Population and Housing Census |
2008 Population and Housing Census |
| Census agency |
National Statistical Office |
National Statistical Office |
National Statistical Office |
| Population universe |
All persons present in Malawi at the time of census, including both Malawians and foreigners |
All persons present in Malawi at the time of census, including both Malawians and foreigners |
All persons present in Malawi at the time of census. These include foreigners with acknowledged status as refugees, and citizens of Malawi who at the time of census are absent temporarily (less than 6 months). However, diplomatic personnel of the foreign diplomatic and consular representative offices, foreign military personnel and their family members, and the members and representatives of the international organizations and communities located in Malawi are not enumerated. |
| De jure or de facto |
De facto |
De facto |
De facto and de jure |
| Enumeration unit |
Household |
Household |
Household |
| Census day |
Unspecified day during September 1st - Septermber 21st, 1987 |
Unspecified day during June 1st - June 21st, 1998 |
Unspecified day during June 1st - June 21st, 2008 |
| Field work period |
September 1st - September 21st, 1987 |
June 1st - June 21st, 1998 |
June 1st - June 21st, 2008 |
| Enumeration forms |
There are 3 questionnaires: (i) Household questionnaire which collects information on characteristics of individual household members, deaths that occurred in the household, household economic activities and dwelling unit characteristics and access to facilities, (ii) Record of vacant and other structures which collects information on main use of the structures and materials used for construction, and (iii) Record of community facilities which collects information on the availability of community facilities such as primary schools, primary health care centers, post offices, etc. |
There are 2 questionnaires: (i) Census questionnaire which collects information on characteristics of individual household members, household information and dwelling unit characteristics and access facilities; (ii) Record of vacant and other structure which collects information on main use of the structures and materials used for construction |
Census questionnaire containing questions on demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population, dwelling unit characteristics, emigration, and maternal and general deaths |
| Type of field work |
Direct enumeration |
Direct enumeration |
Direct enumeration |
| Respondent |
Head of household, or a responsible member of the household |
Head of household, or a responsible member of the household |
Head of household, or a responsible member of the household |
| Coverage |
— |
— |
— |
| Microdata sample characteristics |
| |
1987 |
1998 |
2008 |
| Microdata source |
National Statistical Office |
National Statistical Office |
National Statistical Office |
| Sample design |
Systematic sample of every 10th household with a random start, drawn by the Minnesota Population Center
Note: There can be multiple dwellings per household in the data. |
Systematic sample of every 10th household with a random start, drawn by the Minnesota Population Center
Note: There can be multiple dwellings per household in the data. |
Systematic sample of every 10th household with a random start, drawn by the Minnesota Population Center |
| Sample unit |
Household |
Household |
Household |
| Sample fraction |
10% |
10% |
10% |
| Sample size (person records) |
798,669 |
991,393 |
1,343,078 |
| Sample weights |
Self-weighting (expansion factor = 10). |
Self-weighting (expansion factor = 10). |
Self-weighting (expansion factor = 10). |
| Unit definitions |
| |
1987 |
1998 |
2008 |
| Dwellings |
A dwelling unit may be defined as any structure, permanent or temporary, where people sleep. It may be hut, a house, a store with a sleeping room or rooms at the back or sides, a shelter of reeds/straw such as those used by fishermen, or any other structure where people sleep. |
A dwelling unit may be defined as any structure, permanent or temporary, where people sleep. It may be hut, a house, a store with a sleeping room or rooms at the back or sides, a shelter of reeds/straw such as those used by fishermen, or any other structure where people sleep. |
A dwelling unit may be defined as any structure; permanent, semi permanent or traditional where people live and sleep. It may be a hut, house, stores with a sleeping room or rooms at the back or sides, a shelter of reeds/straw such as those used by fishermen, or any other structure where people sleep. |
| Households |
A household consists of one or more persons, related or unrelated, who live together and make common provision for food. They regularly take all their food from the same pot, and/or share the same grain store (nkhokwe) or pool their incomes for the purpose of purchasing food. Persons in a household may live in one or more dwelling units. |
A household consists of one or more persons, related or unrelated, who live together and make common provision for food. They regularly take all their food from the same pot, and/or share the same grain store (nkhokwe) or pool their incomes for the purpose of purchasing food. Persons in a household may live in one or more dwelling units. |
A household consists of one or more persons, related or unrelated, who live together and make common provision for food. They regularly take all their food from the same pot, and/or share the same grain store (nkhokwe) or pool their incomes for the purpose of purchasing food. Persons in a household may live in one or more dwelling units. |
| Group quarters |
Public places such as hospitals, markets, hotels, and rest houses. |
Public places such as hospitals, markets, hotels, and rest houses. |
Collective household refers to a large group of people who live together and sharing common facilities such as kitchen, toilet, lounge, and dormitories. In such situation the residents may not have complete independent quarters that qualify as housing units as their living quarters during the census period. |
