Adjustment of errors in the reported age-sex data from African censuses

Abstract

Population is central in the planning process. Not only do we need the size of a population,-but also its age-sex structure because errors in these parameters could lead to faulty, planning. For example, the health needs are very much different for a young than for an old population. In estimating the needs of a population in regard to education, health, labour force, housing and food, the planner and policy maker will have, to depend on pertinent population statistics classified by age and sex. Besides, the demographic and socio-economic situation of a country is determined by its age-sex structure.