Population and Labour Market

Grade 11 · Economics

Semester 2 | Period 4 | Week 19

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Subject: Economics

Semester: 2

Period: 4

Week: 19

School Name:

Teacher’s Name:

Subject: Economics

Grade Level: Grade 11

Week & Period: Week 19, Period IV

Date:

Topic: Population and Labor Market
Sub-topic: Meaning of Population and Population Census

Specific Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:

  1. Define population and population census
  2. Differentiate between de facto and de jure population census
  3. Describe the importance of a population census
  4. Discuss the problems associated with conducting a population census

 

A – Anticipation (Engage learners)

  • Begin the lesson by asking:

“How do we know how many people live in a country?”

  • Encourage students to share thoughts on how governments make decisions about schools, hospitals, or employment.
  • Display a visual of a population distribution map of Liberia or West Africa.
  • Share an interesting fact: “Liberia’s population was about 5 million in 2022, but why is it important to know that?”

 

B – Building Knowledge (Core Content)

  1. Definition of Population

Population refers to the total number of people living in a given geographical area at a specific time.

  • It includes all age groups, genders, occupations, and social classes.
  1. Definition of Population Census

Population census is the official and periodic count of the people in a country.

  • It includes demographic, economic, and social data.
  1. Types of Population Census
  • De Facto Census: This counts individuals based on where they are physically present at the time of the census.
    E.g., a student visiting Monrovia during census time will be counted in Monrovia.
  • De Jure Census: This counts individuals based on their usual place of residence, regardless of where they are at census time.
    E.g., even if someone is traveling, they are counted in their home location.
  1. Importance of Population Census
  • Helps in planning for schools, roads, hospitals, and electricity.
  • Used for economic development and resource allocation.
  • Guides government policy and political representation (e.g., number of seats in parliament).
  • Provides employment data and identifies labor market needs.
  1. Problems Associated with Population Census
  • Inaccessibility of remote areas
  • Illiteracy and ignorance among citizens
  • Religious or cultural beliefs causing people to avoid being counted
  • Political manipulation to inflate or deflate numbers
  • Inadequate funding and lack of modern technology

 

C – Consolidation (Application and Reflection)

Class Activity:

Ask students to list ways a population census might affect the school they attend.

  • Prompt: “What would happen if the population of students increases suddenly?”

Pair Discussion:

In pairs, ask students to debate:

  • “Which type of census is more accurate in Liberia – de facto or de jure?”

Quick Quiz (Oral or Written):

  1. Define population.
  2. Mention one difference between de facto and de jure census.
  3. List two uses of population census.
  4. State one problem Liberia faces in conducting a census.

 

Assignment:

Write a short paragraph explaining how the results of a population census can help reduce unemployment in Liberia.

 

Teacher’s Reflection:

  • Did the learners understand the difference between de facto and de jure census clearly?
  • Were learners able to apply census knowledge to their environment and community?
  • Which students will need follow-up on the problems associated with population census?