Tour of the office

Headquarters and administration

Situated off Chimbiya Road, Zomba, the NSO Headquarters contains the offices of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner for Census and Statistics, together with the general administration, accounts and human resources departments.

The administration section also deals with first enquiries for statistical data from the general public, and with product sales.

Economics

The Economics Division produces statistics on foreign trade, national accounts, balance of payments, business activity, employment, consumer prices (including inflation), industrial production, poverty and tourism. Major surveys include the Annual Economic Survey, the 5-yearly Integrated Household Survey, and Small and Medium Scale business surveys.

The computer section, responsible for maintaining the office computers and wide area network, is also situated in this campus.

Demography

The Demography Division is reponsible for the population census, which takes place every ten years, and a number of other demographic and social surveys, such as the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).

Agriculture

The Agriculture Division conducts agricultural surveys, such as the 1992 National Sample Survey of Agriculture, when funds permit. A major new survey conducted by this Division is the annual Core Welfare Indicator Questionnaire (CWIQ).

Publications

The Publications Division collects data from other Divisions and other institutions and publishes the Monthly and Quarterly Statistical Bulletins, the Annual Statistical Yearbook, and Malawi in Figures. The Division also produces a guide to Malawi Statistical sources, and maintains a databank of time series data.

The Division also collects and publishes a variety of transport statistics, including the results of a survey of road traffic.

Library

Situated within the Publications Division, the library serves as a resource centre for NSO staf and for customers looking for statistical data. The library has computer, internet, scanning and video facilities and maintains a stock of text books and statistical publications from Malawi, Africa and various international organisations.