1. Background
The history of census taking in Mauritius dates back to the eighteenth century. The Population Census conducted in year 2011 was the
eighteenth for the Island of Mauritius and the eighth for the Island of Rodrigues.
2. Strategy
The 2011 Housing and Population Census, which cost about 200 million rupees and mobilised some 7,200 field officers, was taken in two
distinct rounds: the Housing Census followed by the Population Census. The main reason for adopting this procedure was to obtain at the
Housing Census a list of names and addresses of heads of households which served as frame for the Population Census.
The Housing Census was conducted from 31 January to 19 June 2011 and the Population Census from 20 June to 31 July 2011 in respect of
all persons alive on the night of 3 - 4 July 2011.
The Population Census questionnaire, a copy of which is at the end of the report, was filled in by fieldstaff with information provided by
respondents. The data was captured by making use of scanning and recognition technology. The software EDMS.Imaging ® was used to
check for scanning errors and for correction using the Key from Image (KFI) technique. Coding was done through a computer-assisted
program while validation and tabulation were done using the software Integrated Microcomputer Processing System (IMPS) for Censuses and
Surveys, which was developed by the International Programs Center of the US Bureau of the Census.
3. Coverage
The Housing and Population Census covered the Islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega. As regards St Brandon, only a count of
persons spending the census night was made; these islands are mainly fishing outposts, with no permanent residents.
4. Population enumerated
The Census counted all persons present on Census night in all private households and communal establishments, including collective quarters,
as well as usual residents who were absent on Census night. Combinations of answers to questions asked on whereabouts and usual address
enable both the present population (de facto) and the resident population (de jure) counts.