Quality of demographic data in Nigeria: problems and prospects

Abstract

Quality of demographic data in Nigeria has been investigated in this paper. Graphical and algebraic methods (including Myre's index, Age and sex ratio scores and the United Nations joint score) were applied to evaluate the 1963 and 1991 censuses, 1981/82 NFS, 1990, 1999 and 2003 NDHS age and sex data. Results of the analyses show that the qualities of age and sex data in Nigeria are quite low. Preference for the end digits 0 and 5 and avoidance of the end digits 1,3, 7 and 9 are pronounced in all the surveys. So also is the problem of age shifting. Therefore, improved education of the Nigeria populace, greater emphasis on registration of births, adequate training, supervision and remuneration of enumerators, among others have been recommended.

Keywords: demographic data quality, Myre's index, age-sex accuracy index, digit preference, age shifting

Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 12(1) 2006: 99-106