Censuses provide population numbers, household or family size and composition, and information on sex and age distribution. They often include other demographic, economic and health-related topics as well.

Changes to the Côte d'Ivoire Population and Housing Census for 1998 included questions regarding physical handicaps, mortality, living conditions, and vocational training. The total population at the time of the census was 15,602,446, including 7,960,421 men and 7,642,025 women.