National Population Census 1952-1954

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.