Population Data
Accurate and reliable population data is critical for development planning and decision-making.
To better understand each city’s demographic trends, MCI has produced age pyramids and population projections that are based on the latest census data. Census information provides national and local governments with reliable, socio-demographic information necessary to identify urgent needs (education, health, drinking water, sanitation, electricity, employment, etc). It can also assist the private sector with business planning and market analyses.
The age pyramids are intended to provide a snapshot of the structure and characteristics of a population. They are useful because they can alert policymakers to trends and patterns that may affect economic development. For instance, if the number of children under-five in a city is high, policy-makers have to plan to adequately provide education, health, and other social services to this population in future years.
Population projections are equally important because they can be used by policymakers and planners to make informed decisions about resource allocations. Several formulas are available to planners interested in projecting population size at a future date. MCI uses the formula for computing exponential growth: Pt+n = Pt er*n
where t = population at the time of the census; n = number of years from the census year to the date you are projecting forward; r = the growth rate.