1. African Census Documentation Classification Dataset (1955–2024)
This dataset documents how post-colonial African states have classified race and ethnicity in national population censuses between 1955 and 2024. It includes information on census questions, classification terminology, and changes over time.
Data: Harvard Dataverse
Data citation: Lu, Yao. 2026. “Racial and Ethnic Terminology in Post-Independence African Censuses, 1955-2024.” https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/UKOSHR, Harvard Dataverse, V1.
Associated publication: Lu, Yao. 2026. “Enumerating Race and Ethnicity in Post-Colonial Africa, 1955–2024.” Ethnicities. OnlineFirst.
2. Historical Census Reports and Statistical Tables (1881–2024)
I am assembling a collection of historical census reports, statistical tables, and classification materials documenting the evolution of population enumeration across Africa from the colonial period to the present.
The collection brings together digitized materials from national archives, statistical agencies, university libraries, and other repositories. My long-term goal is to develop a publicly accessible research resource that supports comparative and historical scholarship on African censuses, state formation, and racial and ethnic classification.
Public access will depend on copyright, archival permissions, and institutional arrangements.
