Liberia has had a total of four population censuses in its 160 years history. These are the 1962, 1974, 1984 and 2008 National population censuses. The 1984 Census which was held 24 years prior to the 2008 Census was never published and the onset of the 14 year civil crisis saw the loss of the national data including the 1984 data set. Besides, other demographic and socio-economic data needed by the newly democratic government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for socioeconomic development planning were limited or non existence. Hence, the need to conduct a fresh census could not have been over-emphasized. As such the Government of President Sirleaf decided in November 2006 to participate in the 2010 Round of Censuses by conducting the 2008 National Population and Housing Census. This paper outlines some of the achievements, constraints and challenges faced in the implementation of the 2008 National Population and Housing Census.

Paper presented at the 57th Session of the International Statistical Institute (ISI), Durban (South Africa), August 2009.