Sibi is a thinly populated district, like the rest of Balochistan province, as indicated by its population density of 13 persons per km in 1981, and the corresponding estimated figure of 18 in 1995. Some selected demographic data of the district are presented in table 2.1.

Source: NIPS (1995), BoS, Gob, Population Census Organisation, Quetta

The average annual population growth rate in this district is estimated to be 2.8 percent over the last 14 years, as against the corresponding Balochistan average of 3.1 percent. The district receives seasonal migrants, every year, for about 4 - 5 months (October - March). Their number is approximately 25 - 30 thousand. No large-scale permanent in or out migration is reported to have taken place during 1981 - 95.

In the 1981 census of population, 51,000 males and 48,000 females were enumerated in the district. Thus females accounted for about 48.50 percent of the total population. The male/female ratio was 1.06, i.e. 106 males per 100 females.

A household, as defined in the population census, comprises persons living together and eating from the same kitchen and using the same budget, whether or not related to each other. According to the 1981 census, a household in Sibi District had on average 7.30 members. Although the district's population increased by 41 percent during 1981-95, the average household size in 1995 would not necessarily be higher. A large number of dwelling units have been constructed in the district during 1981-95, and numerous old houses have been expanded. This has facilitated the trend towards a more nuclear family system. Consequently, using the census definition of a household, the household size is declining. However, it does not give any indication that people have less children than in the past.

In 1990, the average size of households was 8.2 for the district as a whole, according to the Census of Agriculture (1990). The corresponding figure for different categories of households are: farm households 9.9, livestock owner household 8.0, and non-agricultural households 7.1. The 1990 Census of Agriculture data seems to support the above mentioned contention regarding growth of household size. That is, its growth rate has been less than that of the population in general. As suggested by the Agriculture Census data, and as gathered from interviews with informed persons, the existing average household size would be around eight persons.

No clear-cut definition of 'dependent population' is available. An idea as to its size can, however, be formed on the basis of data pertaining to marital status, male/female ratio, population 'below-15 years and above-60 years of age' and civilian labour force (persons working and looking for work). According to the 1981 population census; 24 percent of the population over 15 years of age was married; the m/f ratio was 1.06; the population below 15 years and above 60 years was 46 percent; and the civilian labour force accounted for 29 percent of total population. This means that in 1981, almost 70 percent of the district population would be classified as 'dependent'. The 1995 situation is believed to be not very different.

According to the 1981 population census, Sibi district's urban population was 27,845 in that year which accounted for 28.13 percent of the total population (of 99,000). As ascertained from Sibi town's growth trend, as also that of Harnai town's, and as gathered from discussions on rural-urban migration trends in post-1981 period, it appears safe to conclude that the district's urban population's growth rate would be twice as much as the district's overall population growth rate (2.8 percent), meaning that in the post-1981 period, the urban population most probably increased at about 5 percent per annum. In order to guard against any overestimation, a 4 percent growth rate (of urban population) appears to be safe and realistic. On this assumption, the 1995 urban population of the district would close to 50,000, accounting for 34.5 percent of the district's total population in that year.

The rural population, accounting for an estimated 65 percent of the district's population, lives in two hundred rural settlements with population ranging from 200 to 6000 persons. Most of the villages have population exceeding 400 persons and there are 38 villages with population totalling one thousand or more. Most of the medium and large size villages are situated close to roads and at convenient distance from Sibi town and Harnai town.

The major ethnic groups are the Pathan, the Jamoot and the Baloch. They speak Pashtoo, Sindhi and Balochi respectively as mother tongue. Among the Jamoots are also included Saraiki speaking persons. On the basis of the 1981 Census data, it is estimated that these groups' share in total population would be: Pathans 39 percent, Jamoots 30 percent, Baluchi 18 percent. Rest of the 13 percent population includes Punjabi, Brahvi and Hindus. There are a number of tribes in the district. The recognised tribes are listed as follows:

No authentic indicators of nature and extent of migration are available for the Sibi district. However, as gathered from interviews with informed local people, the district has been experiencing in-migration, out-migration, seasonal immigration and emigration on varying scales during the last fifty years or so. On the whole, it appears from the observed trends that the in-migrants outnumber the out-migrants. Emigration has considerably slowed down, while the number of seasonal in-migrants' is larger than before. These four kinds of migrations are briefly described as follows.

In-migration: The major in-migration took place around 1947, in the wake of partition of the sub-continent resulting in an influx of refugees from India. Beside India, many people of Punjab origin took up jobs in government offices in Sibi area at about the same time. What may be called the 'influx ' of migrants was confined to the early post-independence period. In-migration, mostly of a temporary character, is continuing, but the scale is not large. The in-migrants are mostly labourers employed in construction projects, artisans, and traders. The latter two types are permanent or long-term migrants and most of them live here with their families, mostly in Sibi town. The labourers working for contractors are to be classified as temporary migrants.

Seasonal Immigrants: A large number of persons come to the district around October/ November, mainly from Ziarat, and Mastung. They leave the district in March/April.

Out-migration: Not much out-migration is taking place presently. In the seventies, however, a large number of persons migrated to Quetta, Sukkar, Karachi and other places in and outside Balochistan. They are now settled there permanently. Presently, out-migration is continuing but on a very small scale. Most of the out-migrants go to Quetta, and most of them are educated young people.

Emigration: has taken place, but not in a large number. Major exodus took place in the seventies, and many of the emigrants are now back home.

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