Economic census

Economic census is the complete count of all entrepreneurial units located within the geographical boundaries of the country, involved in any economic activities of either agricultural (excluding crop production and plantation) or non-agricultural sector of the Economy, engaged in production and/or distribution of goods and/or services not for the sole purpose of own consumption.

The objective of the conduct of Economic Census is to provide basic information viz.number of enterprises, employment therein, number of enterprises by type of activity, by type of ownership and by type of social group for planning purposes and to provide a frame for follow-up surveys which are meant for collecting detailed information about the enterprise.

Reliable and timely database is the basic necessity for any sound and systematic planning. The efficient formulation, implementation and evaluation of any sectoral Planning Scheme depend on reliable data base, preferably defined at lower level. Lack of adequate data on the characteristics and performance of virtually entire sectors of trade and construction and the un-organised segments of other sectors had been a very serious handicap in developmental planning and estimation of National / State Income. Though a fairly adequate system of agricultural statistics has already been developed in the country but such an information system has not yet been built up for the non-agricultural sector. While statistics in respect of organized segments of the non-agricultural economy are being collected more or less regularly. It is not so in regard to its unorganized sector, although this sector assumes greater importance due to its significant contribution towards gross domestic product as also in generation of employment in developing economy. To bridge the gap by providing basic data on non-agricultural sector and also providing frame for the follow up survey on different section of the economy, a scheme of Economic Census and Surveys was launched by Central Statistical Organization, Government of India in the year 1976. Since then, the Central Statistical Organization has conducted five Economic Census in the year 1977, 1980, 1990 1998 and 2005.(Forthcoming Sixth Economics Census-2012)


The first coordinated approach to fill these vital data gaps was made by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Government of India by launching a plan scheme 'Economic Census and Surveys' in 1976. The scheme envisaged organising countrywide census of all economic activities (excluding those engaged in crop production and plantation) followed by detailed sample surveys of unorganised segments of different sectors on non-agricultural economy in a phased manner during the intervening period of two successive economic censuses. The basic purpose of conducting the economic census was to prepare a frame while follow up surveys intended to collect more detailed sector specific information between two economic censuses. In view of the rapid changes that occur in the unorganised sectors of non-agricultural economy due to high mobility or morbidity of smaller units and also on account of births of new units, the scheme envisaged conducting the economic census periodically in order to update the frame from time to time.

(Contents of Economic census includes - location of the enterprise,description of economic activity,nature of operation,type of ownership,social group of the owner,power/fuel used for the economic activity,total number of persons working and dependents)

Sixth Economics Census:

The Sixth Economic Census is to be conducted in 2012.To conduct successful six economic census activity wise proposed plan are as follows:-

1. The field survey of the Sixth Economic Census would be conducted during the period of21May- 20June, 2011.

2. A steering committee under the chairmanship of chief secretary of the state has been constituted comprising related department's principal secretaries/ secretaries as a member and DES as member secretary of the committee.

3. District level monitoring committee at district level has also been constituted under the chairmanship of district collector. Other district level officers are nominated as a member and district statistical officer as member secretary of the committee.

  The Central Government plans to conduct the Sixth Economic Census as a Central Sector Plan Scheme during 2012. It will spend Rs 800 crore for the Sixth Economic Census.