by Linda Straker
- Original order described census period from 10 November 2021 to 30 April 2022
- Statistics (Census) (Amendment) Regulations, 2023 Order made on 07 March 2023
- Last Population and Housing Census conducted in 2011
The ruling Dickon Mitchell administration has extended Grenada’s national population and housing census to 30 April 2023. The census period began in 2021 to conclude in 2022, but it was suspended because of the June 2022 General Election.
According to an Order published in the 10 March 2023 edition of the Government Gazette, the Minister responsible has extended the date by redefining the census period. The original order described the census period from 10 November 2021 to 30 April 2022. Hon. Lennox Andrews is the current minister responsible for the Central Statistical Office which is conducting the census.
The Statistics (Census) (Amendment) Regulations, 2023 Order made on 07 March 2023, declared that the census period would end on the last day of April 2023. The census should have commenced during 2020 but was delayed due to the Covid-19 public health pandemic.
The primary objective of the census is to gather and provide detailed information on the population, including statistics on the demographic, economic, and social characteristics of the population referenced to the census date.
The result of the census will enable Government to begin addressing issues relating to gender equity, the elderly, food insecurity, and internet access. The population census can provide benchmark data, disaggregated by sex, age, educational attainment, and economic activity, as well as information on the percentage of households with challenges such as acute hunger or lack of internet access.
It also provides the business community with information on population distribution within and across countries, which will help inform their investment decisions.
The last Population and Housing Census in Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique was conducted in 2011. After the census, the Central Statistical Office will be able to determine the correct population count, currently estimated to be around 112,000.
Census is always seen as intrusive and not import. However, it is very important. The sad part is the data is not used in the interest of citizens. So, citizens are not motivated to part take.
This is so true.