National Population Census 1952-1954
Nepal, 1952 - 1954
Sankhya Bibhag
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Identification
Survey ID Number
NPL-CBS-NPC-1952-54-v0
Title
National Population Census 1952-1954
Translated Title
Rastriya Janaganana 2009-11
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Nepal | NPL |
Study type
Population and Housing Census [hh/popcen]
Series Information
Nepal has a long history of census taking. The first population census of Nepal was taken in 1911 and this practice was continued roughly every ten years. However, there is some evidence to show that a population count in one form or another took place even before 1911. An enumeration covering adult males reportedly took place during the regime of Bhimsen Thapa (1806-1838). This was possibly done with a view to recruiting adult men into the army. The existence of a Guthi (Cooperative Society) indicates the practice of counting houses in Kathmandu Valley even before the Bhimsen Thapa period (1806-I838). However, these censuses were conducted for limited purposes and were also confined to small areas of the country. Even the scope of four censuses (1911, 1920, 1930 and 1941) which were conducted during the Rana Regime (1846-1950) was also limited. Although, these censuses used a short census schedule to collect information on the name of the head of the household, age of persons by sex, occupation, ability to work, number of livestock and means of transportation, the final results were presented in aggregates, i.e. head counts only. There is evidence that a census was made even before Jung Bahadur, the first Rana prime Minister (1846-1877). The first count for which data are available was made in 1911 and population counts have been made approximately every ten years since that time.
The present census, however, was the first to make use of modern census concepts and techniques. It will not be an exaggeration, therefore, to say that this has been the first modern and complete census of Nepal, using internationally accepted concepts and comparable to censuses of other countries.
The Census was taken in two stages: the eastern portion was enumerated in 1952 and the west in 1954. Preliminary results were published in March 1955 and detailed tables in the Nepali Language were submitted to the Government in April 1957. In addition to the geographic areas shown in this report, the Department of Statistics has similar data for the thums or progannas which comprise the districts; also a complete list of villages showing population by sex, number of houses, and number of families.
The plan for the census was drawn up after taking into consideration the concepts recommended by U.N. for the world census of 1950 and the experience gained in a trial census held in the town of Banepa. Work on the census began in 1951 but was abandoned because of the revolution against the Rana rule. In the following year the new government directed that the Department conduct the Enumeration in the east in 1952 and in the west in 1953. The enumeration of the west could not take place until 1954, however, the census day for the east was Jestha 15, 2009 B.S. (28th May 1952 A.D.) and the west, Jestha 15, 2011 B.S. (28th may, 1954 A.D.). In each case the actual enumeration lasted about 3 weeks. Mahotari, a district located in the east was not enumerated until 1954 during the census of the west.
The need for a separate organization for conducting censuses was realized only at the time of the first modern census of 1952/54 and accordingly, a central office was set up to carry out the tasks of census taking. Under the Central Office separate field offices and sub-divisional offices were created for the purpose of conducting censuses. The field level officers were in charge of recruiting and training the enumerators. In 1952/54 village chiefs and revenue agents acted as enumerators. Their work was supervised and thoroughly checked by trained workers (supervisors) employed by the census organization temporarily for this purpose.
The present census, however, was the first to make use of modern census concepts and techniques. It will not be an exaggeration, therefore, to say that this has been the first modern and complete census of Nepal, using internationally accepted concepts and comparable to censuses of other countries.
The Census was taken in two stages: the eastern portion was enumerated in 1952 and the west in 1954. Preliminary results were published in March 1955 and detailed tables in the Nepali Language were submitted to the Government in April 1957. In addition to the geographic areas shown in this report, the Department of Statistics has similar data for the thums or progannas which comprise the districts; also a complete list of villages showing population by sex, number of houses, and number of families.
The plan for the census was drawn up after taking into consideration the concepts recommended by U.N. for the world census of 1950 and the experience gained in a trial census held in the town of Banepa. Work on the census began in 1951 but was abandoned because of the revolution against the Rana rule. In the following year the new government directed that the Department conduct the Enumeration in the east in 1952 and in the west in 1953. The enumeration of the west could not take place until 1954, however, the census day for the east was Jestha 15, 2009 B.S. (28th May 1952 A.D.) and the west, Jestha 15, 2011 B.S. (28th may, 1954 A.D.). In each case the actual enumeration lasted about 3 weeks. Mahotari, a district located in the east was not enumerated until 1954 during the census of the west.
The need for a separate organization for conducting censuses was realized only at the time of the first modern census of 1952/54 and accordingly, a central office was set up to carry out the tasks of census taking. Under the Central Office separate field offices and sub-divisional offices were created for the purpose of conducting censuses. The field level officers were in charge of recruiting and training the enumerators. In 1952/54 village chiefs and revenue agents acted as enumerators. Their work was supervised and thoroughly checked by trained workers (supervisors) employed by the census organization temporarily for this purpose.
Abstract
The need and importance of the data provided by the census have been increasingly recognized since the preliminary figures were first published. Requests for more and more data have come, not only from governmental agencies but also from the general public, political parties and social organizations at home and abroad. The data supplied have been used for different purposes among which has been to help in the preparation of a Five Year Development Plan, the delineation of constituencies and the planning of Nepal's first general election. For this work, the population figures and maps of the thums and pragannas prepared by the department were the only dependable bases. The National Education Commission and the administration Reorganization Commission have also been supplied with information in advance of this publication and have incorporated the data in their reports and in formulating their programme recommendations. It has been a matter of great satisfaction to find that the data has been a matter of great satisfaction to find that the data are so much needed and are so widely used in building the nation.
The census collected demographic statistics on household members.
The census collected demographic statistics on household members.
Kind of Data
Census/enumeration data [cen]
Unit of Analysis
Individual, household
Version
Version Description
Version 0: Microdata not available
Scope
Notes
The scope of the Census of Population, 1952/54 includes:
- Demographics of household members: Relationship to the head of the family, Caste, Religion, Sex, Age, Marital status, Education, Mother tongue, occupation
- Demographics for Persons Absent from Home six months or more: Relationship to the head of the family, Caste, Religion, Sex, Age, Name of the place or country in which the person is now living
- Demographics of household members: Relationship to the head of the family, Caste, Religion, Sex, Age, Marital status, Education, Mother tongue, occupation
- Demographics for Persons Absent from Home six months or more: Relationship to the head of the family, Caste, Religion, Sex, Age, Name of the place or country in which the person is now living
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
National coverage Urban and Rural areas District Thum Pragunna
Universe
The Census covered all de jure household members (usual residents) in private households.
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Sankhya Bibhag | National Planning Commission Secretariat, His Majesty's Government |
Funding Agency/Sponsor
| Name | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| His Majesty's Government | HMG |
Data Collection
Dates of Data Collection
| Start | End | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| 1952-05-07 | 1952-05-28 | Eastern Side |
| 1954-05-07 | 1954-05-28 | Western Side |
Time periods
| Start date | End date |
|---|---|
| 1952-06-22 | 1954-06-22 |
Data Collection Mode
Face-to-face [f2f]
Supervision
For the preparation of the census, 200 supervisors were trained in the central office in Kathmandu and sent into the field. Operating out of 1657 centers located all over the country, they selected, trained and supervised 17000 enumerators. Most of these were the local state rent collectors. The enumeration involved the transportation from and to Kathmandu of about 19 tons of census schedule forms and publicity materials.
A primary role of the supervisor in the field was editing of data collected by the enumerators.
A primary role of the supervisor in the field was editing of data collected by the enumerators.
Data Collection Notes
Five officers from the Sankhya Bibhag were sent to India for the training. When they returned from the training they conducted Pilot test. The Pilot Survey was conducted in Banepa and near village, around 7000 people were enumerated in the survey. From the result of Pilot Survey, all the planning and training program were organized.
Data Collectors
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Sankhya Bibhag | His Majesty's Government |
Questionnaires
Questionnaires
General Questionnaire : Serial Number, District, Thum or praganna,Village, Family number, Name, Relationship to the head of the family, Caste, Religion, Sex, Age in completed Years, Marital status, Education, Mother tongue, Occupation
Questionnaire for Persons Absent from Home Six Months or More: Name, Relationship to the head of the family, Caste, Religion, Sex, Age in completed Years, Name of the place or country in which the person is now living
Questionnaire for Persons Absent from Home Six Months or More: Name, Relationship to the head of the family, Caste, Religion, Sex, Age in completed Years, Name of the place or country in which the person is now living
Data Processing
Data Editing
In the field 200 supervisors edited the data collected by enumerators. Then it is edited in the centre by 30 supervisors who were getting special training about data editing.
Other Processing
There was a group of 10 people for data processing. They completed the data processing work at the end of 2013 B.S. This team submitted the report to the government in the beginning of 2014 B.S.
Access policy
Access authority
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director General | Central Bureau of Statistics | dg@cbs.gov.np | http://cbs.gov.np/ |
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director: Publication, Distribution and Library Section | National Planning Commission Secretariat, Central Bureau of Statistics | archive@cbs.gov.np | http://cbs.gov.np/ |
Confidentiality
Confidentiality of the respondents is guaranteed by Article 8 of Statistics Act 1958.
Restriction on publication of information and details
Any information or details relating to any person, family, firm or company, which have been supplied, obtained or prepared pursuant to Section 3 or Section 4 or Section 5 or Section 6 or Section 7 or any part of such information or details, shall not be disclosed or published directly except to the Director General or to any other officer of the Bureau without the written permission of the person or of his or her authorized representative supplying such information or details.
Access conditions
Microdata is not available for public access.
Citation requirements
Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Nepal. National Population Census 1952/54, Version 0, provided by the National Data Archive. www.cbs.gov.np/nada
Disclaimer and copyrights
Disclaimer
The Central Bureau of Statistics, Nepal bears no responsibility for any outcomes or for interpretations or inferences arising from the use of the dataset, or use of the information provided on the study.
Copyright
(c) 19952-54, Central Bureau of Statistics
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI-NPL-CBS-NPC-1952-54-v02
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Bureau of Statistics | CBS | National Planning Commission Secretariat, Government of Nepal | Documentation of the study |
Date of Metadata Production
2012-03-12
DDI Document version
Version 01: Central Bureau of Statistics - Original documentation of the study.
Version 02: Revised version of metadata as per the recommendation of ADP assessement report, 25 October 2015.
Version 02: Revised version of metadata as per the recommendation of ADP assessement report, 25 October 2015.