A census is the process used to acquire information about every member of a given population. This term is mostly used in connection with national ‘population and door to door censuses’ (to be taken every 10 years according to United Nations recommendations). Most Caribbean countries conduct censuses every 10 years.
Anguilla by law is required to conduct a Population and Housing Census every ten (10) years. Anguilla’s last census was conducted in May 2011 and therefore is due to conduct its seventh (7th) census in May 2021, having previously conducted censuses in 1960, 1974, 1984 and 1992.
As part of the preparation for the census 2021, the Anguilla Statistics Department conducted a demarcation project to update the Enumeration District (ED) descriptions with appropriate markers. This project was designed internally and sought to update all the markers using the 2001 ED descriptions which were used in the Anguilla Population and Housing (AP&H) Census 2011. The fieldwork was carried out to confirm which markers were destroyed or removed. All markers destroyed or removed were replaced, where possible and the descriptions rewritten to ensure that the ED boundary descriptions are clear and understandable.
The ASD is also attempting to transition to the Tablet Assisted Personal Interview (TAPI) from the Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) which used the scanning technology. Given the many challenges encountered in the AP&H Census 2011 as it related to the validity of data across the questionnaire sections, a sound TAPI approach will ensure that data is consistent and valid across the questionnaire sections. This approach would therefore allow for the timely release of the preliminary and final findings and reports as well as further thematic research reports. It would also allow for more stakeholder engagement in an effort to create a greater awareness and educate persons about the importance and derivations of a census.
The Anguilla Statistics Department, the organisation charged with the responsibility of conducting and coordinating surveys and censuses on the island of Anguilla, will in the upcoming months, formally commence the planning and activities for Anguilla’s 2021 Population and Housing census.
Population and Housing censuses provide the residents and the government of a country with critical information on demographic issues such as population growth rates, age structure, fertility and mortality, migration and urbanization among others. Because of the centrality of population issues to development, it is imperative that governments have access to high quality and reliable data. This will enable them to formulate relevant policies and properly plan for the development of their country.
The ASD will be setting up, posting articles and information to various business networking sites in the near future, to ensure that the general population and businesses are kept informed about the Anguilla’s 2021 Population and Housing census and its activities. We are therefore soliciting your queries and questions when items are posted.
- Press Release
