Sources and Methods: Labour Statistics
Volume 5: Population Censuses

Cape Verde

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

Ministério do Plano e das Finanças, Direcçao Geral de Estatística, Divisao de Censos e Inquéritos, C.P. 116, Praia.

2.Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1960, 1970, 1980 and 1990. The present description relates to the 1990 census (held from 16 to 30 June).

3.Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope

Whole territory.

(b) Persons covered

All persons of all ages, except national residents abroad.

4.Reference period:

The week preceding the date of the census.

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 year of birth.

Re (h): Non-working persons were also asked other questions concerning their primary means of subsistence.

6.Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population

It comprises all persons aged 10 years and over who, during the reference week, were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below. The definition also covers all members of the armed forces (career military staff and conscripts).

(b) Employment

Considered as employed are all persons who, during the reference week, had an occupation, function or any economic activity, whether paid or unpaid. The question asked was: What is your situation as regards work: (1) employed; (2) unemployed and worked before; (3) unemployed and first-time jobseeker; (4) student; (5) homemaker; (6) retired or pensioner; (7) invalid or infirm; and (8) other.

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. working students with a part time job;
  5. seasonal or occasional workers;
  6. conscripts for military/civilian service;
  7. apprentices and trainees.
Only persons falling in categories (i), (vi) and (vii) can be identified separately by means of their responses to specific questions.

(c) Unemployment

Considered as unemployed are all persons who, during the reference week, were without work and were looking either for their first job or for a new job. The definition also covers persons who, though wishing to work, were not looking for work because they did not think they had any chance of finding a job.

7.Classifications used:

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

(a) Industry

Based on the question: Indicate the activity of the firm where the person works or last worked. For coding industry, 10 groups of the national classification were used. Links to the ISIC-rev.2 have been established to the division (1-digit) level.

(b) Occupation

Based on the question: Indicate the person's current or most recent primary occupation. For coding occupation, nine groups of the national classification were used. Links to the ISCO-68 have been established to the major group (1-digit) level.

(c) Status in employment

A specific question was asked of both employed persons and unemployed persons previously employed to determine their current or most recent status in employment. For coding status in employment seven groups were used: self-employed; employer; official or employee; day labourer; apprentice; member of a producers' co-operative; other unpaid worker.

8.Main differences compared with the previous census:

In the 1980 census, the questions concerning economic circumstances had been put to persons aged 7 years and over; nevertheless, published data on the economically active population and its component groups (employed and unemployed persons) was confined to persons aged 14 years and over.

9.Publication of the census results:

The title of the publication containing the census results is: IIo recenseamento da Populaçao e Habitaçao - 1990, published in 1992.

The organization responsible for this publication is Direcçao Geral de Estatística, Ministério das Finanças e do Plano, Praia.

The results of the 1990 census are also available in the form of unpublished tables, diskettes and magnetic tapes.