INTRODUCTION
Data is the cornerstone of demographic and population analysis. The goal of which is to verify (or falsify) empirical observations and to construct laws that can be generalized to a wide variety of models and theories. We today do not lack data on contemporary demographic events. But the widespread availability of data does not mean that all data problems are solved. Demographers & population geographers must always be concerned with the quality of data they use. We will discuss some of the most prominent contemporary sources of demographic data and the quality of those data in the sections that follow.
TYPES OF DATA:- Generally speaking there are two broad classes of data.
(1)Primary data:- Refers to the data collected by the researcher from a particular geographical area for a specific issue. It is a kind of first-hand data, which can toll both money and time for the researcher. Ex- census, national sample survey, administrative records, etc.
(2)Secondary data:-Data that are collected by an organization, govt. body, or someone else, using predefined questions, sampling frame, and geographic area and typically checked, verified, and “cleaned” so that it is ready for public use. Both primary & secondary data sources can include qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data consists of numerical information and may be obtained through case studies, open-ended interviews, focus groups, participant observation, or diary methods. In contrast, quantitative data is numerical and includes counts, such as the number of people by age and gender in a specific area, various socio-economic details, etc.
We can consider five main reliable and authentic sources of data in Population Geography:-
1. Census;
2. Vital registrations;
3. Representative sample surveys;
4. Indirect sources; and
5. Primary data that are collected by the analysts themselves.
A. CENSUS
The most fundamental source of data for the study of population is the population census i.e. required for administrative purposes and many aspects of economic and social planning and research.
Census:-The concept of the modern census was first adopted by United Nation after World War II, in the year 1958. According to the UN, “A census of population is the total process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing and publishing demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specified time, to all persons in a country or in a well-delimited part of a country.”
History of Census:-The word “census” is derived from the Latin word “center”, meaning to value or tax. The census taking has its beginning in ancient times in Egypt, Babylonia, China, Palestine, and Rome. The ancient counts were undertaken to determine fiscal, labor, and military obligations. It was limited to heads of households, males of military age, tax-payers, and adult citizens while women and children were seldom counted. Soon after the restoration in England, the East India Company was anxious to obtain reliable estimates of population in its Indian settlements for accessing reliable information such as defenses, collection of revenues and taxes, and employment of the population in profitable trades and services. In 1865, the Government of British India had been agreed upon the principle that a general population census would be taken in 1871. The model census schedule and questionnaire also had been worked out by 1865. The years 1867-72 were actually spent in census taking and it was known as a census of 1872 which was neither synchronous nor did it cover the entire territory of British India. The first census of India in the modem sense was conducted in 1881 and since then census in India conducted regularly after every 10 years. The census of 1951 was the first census conducted in independent India which was the main source of data needed for drafting social and economic welfare policies.
Before the 1941 census, the system of enumeration was de-facto that is the enumeration of the population concerning their location at a certain point in time. It is impossible to cover the population in an enumerator block within a short period of a few hours. The main problem relating to this method is double counting.
The census commissioner for the 1941 census suggested a modification in the system of enumeration i.e. de-jure method of enumeration where the census should cover individuals normally located in every dwelling place. The headcount process is completed between 9th February to 28th February and published in the reference period of 00 hours 1st of March. Census of India gives a heterogeneous set of data related to demographic data, social data, and economic data. So, to give data systematically, the Census of India is published in the forms of Reports i.e. known as Tables and it is named alphabetically.
A Series Tables:- General Population Tables: Related to the information about residence either urban or rural, sex, literacy, etc.
B-Series Tables:-Economic Tables: Gives information related to working status, working, non-working population, marginal workers irrespective of their wage rate, classification of workers according to age, educational level, industrial category, etc.
C-Series Tables:-Social and Cultural Tables: Information about social aspect i.e. gender, marital status (separated, widowed, divorcée), language is spoken, religion, caste, tribe, etc.
D-Series Tables:- Migration Tables: Information related to regions of migration, types, and streams of migration, etc.
F-Series Tables:- Fertility Tables: Information about reproductive behavior, CBR, TFR, age in the first birth, etc.
HH-Series Tables:- Household Tables: Information about household size, castewise classification, residence, etc.
H-Series Tables:-Tables on Houses, Household Amenities, and Assets: Related to the condition of houses, size and number of dwelling rooms, household amenities like lighting, drinking water, availability of kitchen, household assets, etc.
SCST-Series:- Tables on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes: All the information relating to SCs and STs.
Drawbacks of Census: -
(1)Huge amount of money is required which may be a burden for your government. Despite it being a headcount ratio, to judge the authenticity post Enumeration checks are required.
(2)Wide gap between counting process (collection) and publication of final data.
(3)Any boundary modification introduced after the census restricts the utility of the census data. To overcome this problem, western countries attempted to use national grid coordinates to compile census data.
(4)In India inter- census gap is wider, during which considerable population changes may occur.
(5)For a census to be universal, everyone must be counted, but problems arise when some individuals or groups, such as the homeless, are difficult to count or refuse to be counted. While the census is an easy data source to turn to, gathering data for the census is a complex task in itself. Population data help to formulate and implement the various policies and planning in a country.
B. VITAL REGISTRATION SYSTEM IN INDIA
The vital registration system was started in England in the 16th century for the first time. It is also known as Civil Registration System. This system was also introduced in India by the British more than a hundred years ago. Vital or Civil Registration System is the system by which a govt. records the vital events of its citizens and residents. In contrast to censuses, which collect information on every member of a population at a single point in time, the Vital Registration System collects information on individuals as demographic events occur.
IMPORTANCE OF VRS:-It is compulsory, continuous, and legal regarding vital events. Under this system, every event is required to fill up a certain firm. It is an important tool for studying the dynamics of the population and also it is the primary source of data. The vital registration system, apart from providing evidentiary documents to individuals, provides statistical data on birth, death, marriage, divorce, etc., which can be utilized for research in demographics as well as in public health and science. The data obtained from this system can be used for population estimation and for population projection.
EXAMPLE OF VITAL STATISTICS:-Birth Certificate, Marriage License and Marriage Certificate, Death Certificate, Divorce Certificate, etc.
VRS -MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS:-
1. The registration of birth and deaths is being done under the registration of birth and death act, 1969.
2. Purpose of VRS is two-fold: event registration and generation of vital statistics.
3. Implementation of the act is the responsibility of the state governments through state rules.
4. Registration has to be done at the place of occurrence of the event.
5. Provide a legal document for the general public birth/death certificate.
RECENT INITIATIVES:-
1. Transformation of CRS and vital statistics (CRVS).
2. Increased cooperation with other stakeholders like health dept., women, and child development.
3. Increment in digital penetration.
4. Nationwide database of medical institutions where birth and death occur.
In most countries, such registers have a far longer history than the national census, and it is generally agreed that national registers are more accurate and reliable than census returns. Mortality statistics are, for example, used in population projections to calculate the probability of surviving into a future period, while information on the cause of death can be used to protect the health of communities. The registration system in existence today is almost always controlled and managed by civil govt., but their origins can usually be historically linked to parish or church records.
SHORTCOMINGS OF VITAL REGISTRATION SYSTEM:-
1. Problems arise when birth and deaths (particularly infant deaths) are not reported, and causes of death may be mislabelled, missing, or incorrect.
2. Too often there is a lack of consistency from state to state and even within states.
3. Many of the developing countries still do not have a system of continuous registration of vital events. This poses a serious problem for population geographers while mapping the world patterns of vital events.
4. The inaccuracy of data on vital events in developing countries due to poor coverage renders a researcher’s attempts on the study of population dynamics a very different task. The major problem of VRS in India: Though any failure to register birth and death is punishable by law, the coverage of registration of vital events in India is far from satisfactory. Because of under-reporting, the rates derived from registered vital events present a much-distorted picture. In a survey conducted in Madras city 1996 by the census dept. It was found that as many as 27percent of deaths were not reported and it is very high in rural areas. The reason for VRS in India is illiteracy and the rural character of the population.
C. SAMPLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM
The Sample Registration System (SRS) is a large-scale demographic survey for providing reliable annual estimates of birth and death rates and it is done scientifically. The government of India, in the late 1960s, initiated the Sample Registration System (SRS). SRS provides reliable data of birth rate, death rate, total fertility rate, sex ratio, IMR, etc. at the state and national level for rural and urban areas separately. A representative sample of the population is covered in this survey, not the whole population, and from which conclusions are drawn by the use of scientific methods. In this survey, the sample units, villages in rural areas, and urban blocks in urban areas, which SRS samples are replaced once every ten years.
HISTORY OF SRS:- It was initiated on a pilot basis by the office of the Registrar General of India in a few selected statuses in 1964 - 65, it became fully operational during 1969 - 70, with about 3700 samples units. The SRS sample is replaced every ten years based on the latest Census frame. At present, SRS is operational in 8850 sample units (4961 Rural and 3889 Urban) covering about 7.9 million population, spread across all states and union territories.
SOME REPORTS OF SRS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE OF LATEST ONE
Highlights of SRS 2017
The declining trend of birth rate
The declining trend in the death rate 
The declining trend in IMR
ADVANTAGES OF SRS:- Census provides data every ten years is a huge time gap, but SRS provides reliable annual estimates of vital rates separately for Rural and urban areas, which covers that time gap. It also provides other indicators of fertility and mortality. DISADVANTAGES OF SRS: It does not cover the whole population; it collects information only from a sample of the population. So, it is highly dependent on the estimations and chances of error.
E. SAMPLE SURVEYS
The Demographic Sample Survey is another method of data collection for the population. In a sample, survey information is collected only from a sample of the population, which is representative of the whole and from which conclusions are drawn by the use of the scientific method. IN a country like Afghanistan where no census was conducted, population data were collected through sample surveys. But even in countries where regular census is conducted, sample surveys are also done as census holds once every ten years.
ADVANTAGES:-With the help of specially trained interviewers and carefully prepared questionnaires, some special aspects of the population can be studied in-depth, for instance, information on abortions, contraception, etc so essential for the study of fertility can never be obtained from the census but only through special surveys. The quality of data obtained through a sample survey is better than that obtained from a census because they are collected by a comparatively small number of well-trained interviewers.
DISADVANTAGES:-sample surveys can never take place either of census or of vital registration. Complete coverage of the entire country at a point in time and a continuo sans current registering of vital events are unique features of the census and of the vital registration system respectively.
SOME IMPORTANT DEMOGRAPHIC SAMPLE SURVEYS CONDUCTED IN INDIA
By using the technique of the sample survey, several demographic surveys have been conducted in India. THE NATIONAL SAMPLE SURVEY, surveys conducted by the Institute of Politics and Economics, Poona (1952-1956), the Mysore population study (1953), the Patna demographic survey (1955), the family planning survey conducted by the Operation Research Group (org) (1970) are some important surveys.
THE NATIONAL SAMPLE SURVEY ORGANISATION now known as NATIONAL SAMPLE SURVEY OFFICE comes under the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation headed by a Director-General is responsible for the conduct of largescale sample surveys in diverse fields on ALL INDIA BASIS. NSSO fills up the gap between the long 10 years of the census and gives information about the aspects that the census does not give. All the pivotal events are covered every 5 years and others are covered every 10 years. Primarily data collected through national household surveys on various socio-economic subjects ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIES (ASI) etc. Besides this survey, NSSO collects data on rural and urban prices and plays a significant role in the improvement of crop statistics through supervision of the area enumeration and crop estimation surveys of the state agencies. It also maintains a frame of urban area units for use in sample surveys in urban areas.
OBJECTIVE- The main objective of the national sample survey has been to collect data on some socio-economic aspects on a comprehensive basis for the whole country through its various rounds by using the technique of sample survey. The first round of the national sample survey NSS was conducted in 1950; since then, information on different items has been collected through various rounds of the NSS. The topics include so far are fertility, mortality, population growth, economically active population, family planning, employment and unemployment, consumer’s expenditure pattern, housing condition, manufacturing industries, physically handicapped persons, conditions of the age, etc. FUNCTIONS OF NSSO – 1) It conducts socio-economic surveys on various subjects like employment, consumer expenditure, health, unemployment, medical services, etc 2) It decides the topics be covered in a particular survey found. It conducts an annual survey of industries every year. It gives year reports on statuses of estimation of agriculture productions in India.
NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY: -The National Family Health Survey which is a household sample survey was carried out in 24 states and NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY of DELHI during 1992-93. The NFHS has collected data from a nationally representative sample of 89,777 ever-married women in the age group 1349 from 88,563 households. The NFHS is a collaborative project of the International Institute of Population Sciences, Mumbai, all the population research centers in the country, various data collecting organizations, and EAST – WEST Centre /Macro International, United States of America, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi. The NFHS is one of the most completed sample surveys of its kind ever conducted in INDIA. After completion of the data collection NFHS, the reports have been written and published for each of the constituent states. Two volumes have been published for India. The NFHS conducted in 1992-93 was a major landmark in the development of a demographic database for India and states. During 1998-99 a second round of the NFHS called the NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY 2 (NFHS 2) HAS STARTED. The NFHS 2 is another important step to strengthen the database further for the implementation of the reproductive and child health approaches adopted by India since 1996. The NFHS 2 gives the data on the nutritional status of women and children are collected by carrying out blood tests for hemoglobin levels in addition to the measurement of the height and weight, it also includes the quality of care and status of women.
OBJECTIVE- The main objective of the NFHS was to provide reliable and up to date state level and national level estimates on nuptiality, fertility, knowledge, and practice of family planning, fertility preference, infant and child mortality, utilization of child and maternal health services, breastfeeding and food supplementation practices, child nutrition and health. A further objective is exploring the demographic and socioeconomic determinants of these factors. The information collected was intended to assist policymakers and program administrators and researchers in assessing and evaluating population and family welfare programs and strategies.
FEATURES: Uniform method of sampling, data collection, analysis of data, and uniform presentation of data. This has made interstate comparison valid. The data collected in the NFHS are also comparable with those of the demographic and health surveys conducted in many other countries.
F. INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS
A SOURCE OF WORLDWIDE POPULATION DATA
Apart from the already discussed major sources of basic data, the population geographers do make use of migration reports, linguistic reports, estimates, and projections. As has been observed earlier, the UN in recent years is increasingly assuming the responsibility of collecting vital population data from its member countries and reproducing, regrouping the same in a comparable form. There are some countries, though in a very small minority, which maintain proper migration records.
1. Demographic Yearbook:-Brought out by the UN in 1948. The Demographic Yearbook disseminates statistics on population size and composition, births, deaths, marriage, and divorce, as well as respective rates, on an annual basis. The Demographic Yearbook census datasets cover a wide range of additional topics including economic activity, educational attainment, household characteristics, housing characteristics, ethnicity, and language, foreign-born and foreign population. Every year it deals with a special topic (fertility/mortality/marriage) about population data in great detail. For instance, the Demographic Yearbook for 1974 presents detailed data on mortality.
2. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its Human Development Report and the World Bank in its World Development Report published annually demographic data relating to population growth, projections, fertility, mortality, health, etc. for countries of the world.
3. UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees):- Collects and compiles data on asylum seekers and refugees more specifically on asylum applications, refugee status determination, recognition rates, refugee populations and movements, demographic characteristics (age and sex) as well as major refugee locations ( camps, centers, urban areas, etc.).
4. ILO (International Labour Organization):-The publication of (Yearbook of Labour Statistics) provides the world’s leading sources of labor statistics, gives detailed data on the economically active population, international labor migration statistics.
5. International Organisation for Migration (IOM): -The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) collects and publishes various data including internal displacement, missing migrants, and migration governance, and collects, uses, analyses, and publishes primary and secondary data across a wider range of migration topics.
IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.
As the leading international organization for migration, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration management, advance understanding of migration issues. Encourage social and economic development through migration. Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants.
6. CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention):- The CDC is a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Work closely with national and local institutions to address HIV, tuberculosis, influenza, antimicrobial resistance, and immunization for vaccine-preventable diseases, as well as strengthening laboratory, surveillance, and workforce capacity to respond to disease outbreaks.
7. The Population Reference Bureau (PRB):-Offers an annual World Population Data Sheet, concerning important demographic and health variables, such as total population, fertility rates, infant mortality rates, HIV/AIDS prevalence, and contraceptive use. The database provides scholarly articles about an assortment of topics, ranging from non-communicable diseases and nutrition to the labor force and family planning. The Population Reference Bureau also publishes a Population Handbook which contains information about demographic concepts to help in educating the public on population studies.
8. FAO:- FAO is dedicated to collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and disseminating food and agriculture statistics that are relevant for decision-making. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
9. OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development):-With 36 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. The OECD is known as a statistical agency, as it publishes comparable statistics on a wide number of subjects. The countries seeking admission are Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, and South Africa.
10. SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation):- Promotes development of economic and regional integration.
11. UNESCO: - Provides data on education, literacy, and school attendance for different countries of the world.
12. POPULATION COUNCIL:- (NGO) The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, non-governmental organization. The Council conducts research in biomedicine, social science, and public health and helps build research capacities in developing countries. The Population Council conducts research to address critical health and development issues. Our work allows couples to plan their families and chart their futures. We help people avoid HIV infection and access life-saving HIV services. And we empower girls to protect themselves and have a say in their own lives. They conduct research and programs in more than 50 countries. Our New York headquarters supports a global network of offices in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
13. Epidemiological and Vital Records: -In this monthly periodical published by the WHO, information on public health and mortality is presented for different countries of the world.
14. STATISTICAL YEARBOOK (UNSD):-Most of the statistics presented in the Yearbook are extracted from more detailed, specialized databases prepared by the Statistics Division and by many other international statistical services.
While the specialized databases concentrate on monitoring topics and trends, in particular, social, economic, and environmental fields, the Statistical Yearbook tables aim to provide data for a more comprehensive, overall description of social, economic, and environmental structures, conditions, changes, and activities.
NGOs:-
● Asha Foundation- AIDS prevention.
● Smile Foundation- for children’s health and education
● Help Age- to help grey people with love, care, and nourishment
● Age well- take care of old persons
● NAZ Foundation- HIV/ AIDS & sexual health
● Avahan- Avahan is an initiative sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to reduce the spread of HIV in India. It began in 2003. As of 2009, the Gates Foundation had pledged US$338 million to the program.
OTHERS:-
Report on Medical Certification on Cause of Death from Office of the Registrar General of India.
OPEC
UNICEF
IMF etc.
Conclusion:-
If you ask, among all the above-mentioned sources which one is better (?) the answer is unknown to me. The bottom line is that all the data sources discussed above, and should be seen as complementary rather than competitive, allowing different approaches and insights into population processes. The quality of data depends upon the 'human value' of the interviewer & interviewees. If they give correct information and the interviewer records them properly, followed by a proper methodology, obviously, the collected data quality would be high.
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