population (society)

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The number of people living in a specific area or region, such as a town or country, at any one time. The study of populations, their distribution and structure, resources, and patterns of migration, is called demography. Information on population is obtained in a number of ways, such as through the registration of births and deaths. These figures are known as ‘vital statistics’. However, more detailed information on population distribution, population density, and change is necessary to enable governments to plan for education, health, housing, and transport on local and national levels. This information is usually obtained from censuses (population counts), which provide data on sex, age, occupation, and nationality.

The word census comes from a Latin word meaning to count or assess, and the censuses conducted by the Romans were mainly for purposes of tax and the recruitment of armies. Nowadays, censuses are carried out by most countries on a regular basis; in the USA a census has been taken every ten years since 1790. In Europe the first national censuses were taken in 1800 and 1801 and provided population statistics for Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK, and for the cities of Berlin, London, Paris, and Vienna. A census of the population of New York was also taken at that time. Most countries in the world have taken at least one census within the last decade.

Red symbolizes blood. Yellow represents sunshine. Green stands for the islands' riches. Black reflects the Melanesian population. Effective date: 30 July 1980. >>