Scroll to the bottom for a list of Institutions that offer Demography
WHAT IS DEMOGRAPHY AND WHO IS A DEMOGRAPHER?
Demography is the study of human populations, this includes: population size, population composition and population distribution across geographical areas or spaces. Demography is also the process through which populations change. Births, deaths and migration are the ‘big three’ concerns of demography, they jointly produce population stability or change.
A population’s composition may be described in terms of age, sex, family and household status, language, education, occupation, ethnicity, religion, income and wealth. The distribution of populations can be defined at multiple levels (local, regional, national, global) and with different types of boundaries (political, economic, and geographic). Demography is a central component of societal contexts and social change.
A demographer is someone who has studied and graduated with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a well-known university.
WHERE DO DEMOGRAPHERS WORK?
Demographers work for ministry of health as Data Management and Analysis Specialists where they effectively provide site level data quality control measures, identify problems and provide feedback to program and facility staff. They also work for Zambia Statistics Agency formerly known as Central Statistical Office (CSO) where they Lead the data analysis efforts and provide feedback to the program teams and facilities,
They also work for ministry of planning and infrastructure where they oversee data collection, collation, storage, analysis, and reporting, ensuring that data is of high quality and audit worthy. They also work in most NGOs where they mostly work closely with partners to establish their internal MERL systems (this is a software for data analysis), Monitoring & Evaluation plans and data quality management.
Demographers also work for private firms such as banks and public agencies at local, regional, national and international levels.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
Demography is very useful for understanding social and economic problems and identifying potential solutions. Demographers are engaged in social planning, market research, insurance forecasting, labor market analysis, economic development and so on. What demographers do goes well beyond this broad definition and draws extensively from related disciplines such as Sociology, Economics, statistics, Political Science and Public Health
Their general tasks wherever they work include: interpret data and communicate results to their clients, often with the aid of mathematical techniques and software. In this role you'll ensure that complex statistical concepts are explained in a way the client can understand, and advice on strategy.
consulting with clients and agreeing what data to collect and how it should be gathered taking into account any ethical and legislative considerations, designing experiments, trials or surveys to produce the required data, collecting and analysing the data, interpreting the data and making sure that the right decisions are made based on the results, monitoring data collected throughout its shelf life, presenting results to others, such as senior managers, regulatory authorities and clients, advising policymakers on key decisions based on results, carrying out research, often as part of a team, writing reports and articles for publication. Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive project database, ensure accurate and timely storage of electronic files.
Develop and implement market intervention strategies for target markets in global health to inform decisions of governments, donors and other stakeholders. Clean data and produce visualizations, summary statistics and reports. Engage donors and financiers including development banks to develop plans that alleviate constraints of suppliers etc.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A DEMOGRAPHER?
The work schedule of a Demographer is influenced by many factors but most Demographers work independently in an office on full-time during regular business hours from 8am to 5pm. In addition to working full time at an Organization or ministry some Demographers do consult part-time. Demographers that work for consultancy firms and NGOs occasionally work overtime to meet deadlines.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
Job opportunities are widely available in Zambia for Demographers mostly in the health sector or pharmaceutical industry. For example, the pharmaceutical industry provides opportunities that will make you travel abroad to discuss the design of trials, collect data, discuss results and meet with regulatory authorities. Medical demographers may travel abroad to present findings at conferences.
Contract research organisations (CROs) also offer jobs for demographers, public sector research organisations (such as the Zambia Demographic survey) also employs demographers, regulatory authorities, market research companies, manufacturing and service companies, investment companies and banks, insurance companies, the National Health Service they also employ Demographers.
Job titles may vary depending on the area of work, for example Demographers are also known as data analysts, data managers, mathematical modelers, Data Management and Analysis Specialists and so on.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
To enjoy Demography both at school and work you need to have strong ability to extract, analyse, model and interpret data. You also need to have proficiency in statistical packages such as SPSS, STATA, SAS etc, you will learn about these software in school. You must also have high level of confidentiality and Integrity, accuracy and attention to detail. You should also be someone who is trustworthy and honest. Working as Demographer means dealing with data and helping to find practical solutions to problems. If you're keen on numbers, skilled in Information Technology and like compiling information, this could be the program for you.
Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Demography
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
At the University of Zambia at first year no one enrols to study demography as a direct entry. They are all in the category of Bachelor of Arts non-quota. They will do a course combination that includes introduction to Demography and mathematics for social sciences as pre requisites for Demography combined with any two social science courses like micro and macroeconomics, Development, public Admiration and a cut-off point is set for one to major in Demography at second year. At second year they become Demography majors after successfully passing and meeting the cut off points. At second year they do three demography courses such as population composition, change and theory, research and statistical methods and sources and measures of demographic data as well as taking up one minor course. At third year they again do three demography courses like population and development, methods of demographic data evaluation and computer application in demography as well as one minor course and at fourth year they do three demography courses like advanced techniques of demographic analysis, research project in demography and monitoring and evaluation as well as one minor course.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
Entry depends on the levels of competition in the University. Typically, they look for 8 points in 5 subjects and below which should include Mathematics, English and any three social Science subjects. This may change from year to year, inquire from the university you are interested in.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A DEMOGRAPHER?
To work as a Demographer, you can also have a degree in Mathematics, Statistics and Economics as well as Business Administration as alternative programs because they all deal with quantitative research analysis. But mostly even programs that are qualitative in nature such as psychology, Public Administration, Public Health and Sociology are all considered as alternative programs for Demography.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Once you study Demography, you may decide to pursue a master’s degree in Demography (master of art with Demography), Master of art with Economics, Public Health Developments studies and so on. A master's degree or Ph.D. is required for some Demography jobs. An advanced degree is sometimes required for advancement to higher level positions.
The reasons you need to advance your career in Demography are that, many organisations employ Demographers in small numbers, which means that opportunities for internal promotion may be limited and you will qualify when such opportunities come after career advancement. It's also usually possible to switch between the different sectors after career advancement. Larger companies usually have a promotion structure that allows for advancement into more senior management positions. There are many career options and opportunities for diversification or specialisation at a later stage. With a masters or PhD, prospects exist in research and teaching i.e. one with a master’s degree can become a lecturer at the university. Other Demographers move into related areas such as project management and so on.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER DEMOGRAPHY
UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
Programme duration: 4 years (degree) , 2 years (master’s)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Intakes: January only
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 293348
E-mail: dean-hss@unza.zm
Website: www.unza.zm/schools/humanities/departments/population-studies
MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-Time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Social Sciences (SSS)
Intakes: February and September
Location: Kabwe
Contacts
Tel: + (260) 215 228 004
E-mail: academic@mu.ac.zm
Website: www.mu.ac.zm
TRINITY UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 977 501 896 or +260 954 118 414
E-mail: trinityuniversityzambia@gmail.com
Website: trinityuniversity.edu.zm/tuition-fees