PIP: The population of the People's Republic of Mongolia increased 2.1 times in 70 years from 0.65 million in 1981 to 2.02 million in 1987. 1918-1956 was a pre-transitional period of low population growth. A substantial growth was experienced during the period of 1956-1987, since economic and technological development increased living standards and reduced mortality. The Mongolian government adopted a pro-natal policy in which incentives are given to have large families. Nevertheless, fertility started to decline in the 1980s. Promoting education had been an important achievement of Mongolia since its independence in 1921. 54% of the current population received more than 8 years of education, and 7.32% had college or vocational school education. Over a quarter of the population was in school. The rapid increase in the level of education attained by the population can be attributed to the priority status given to education by the government. The expenditure in education and health in 1987 was 7.7% of the total national economic investment. Education at all levels including kindergarten is free. The occupational composition of the population had undergone considerable changes since 1960. Those engaged in farming and animal husbandry decreased from 60.8% of the working population in 1960 to 31.5% in 1987. while the proportion of industrial workers increased from 12% of the working population in 1960 to 19% in 1987. The population in the service industry, research, and education increased to 5.5, 3.5, and 1.8 times the 1960 figure, respectively, in 1987. The rural population decreased from 78.4% in 1959 to 47.9% in 1987. These population changes reflects the socio-economic development of Mongolia.