You appear to be starting with 0 civilians. How odd.

Is this a single-player campaign mode game? Or is it a non-campaign match?

Be sure your settings aren't at 0 citizens for starting citizens (I don't think they can be, really).

I don't often say try reinstalling, but maybe try reinstalling to a non-default location. And close out any programs you might be running.

I could imagine that a peice of RAM got overwritten incorrectly or an install file somehow got messed up.

That's all I can think of right now.
Oh yeah -- and be sure to do all of your compatibility mode settings and run as admin, too.
(edit 2): Also, the game is not listed as Win 7 compatible. Are you running on Win 7? It might still work, but it might be more difficult.

This happens in skirmish and multiplayer, the settings are good, reinstalling does not work. Computer has enough ram, works on other computers fine, might try to install at a other location.