Population and Housing Census 2022 gets underway Monday with Census Day
Monday, September 12 will be observed as Census Day which will also mark the start of the 2022 Population and Housing Census.
Conducted every 10 years, the census should have taken place last year, but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is spearheading the exercise which is expected to run until December 31. The Government is encouraging Jamaicans to wear the national colours on Monday and to participate in the census which is being conducted under the theme ‘Yuh Count, Mi Count, All a Wi Count’.
STATIN said the census is one of the most important sources of statistics for a country.
“Census data are used by policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, civil society groups, faith-based organisations, the private sector community and the general public to make informed decisions,” STATIN said.
The Institute has trained more than 7,500 census takers and is now counting down the hours until Monday when the count begins. Census takers will be deployed in all 14 parishes and will cover 6,611 enumeration districts.
While addressing the House of Representatives in July, Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke noted that the upcoming census is the 15th such to be undertaken in Jamaica since 1844.
He described the census as “one of the most important tasks that we will be undertaking in this our Jubilee year”.
“The results will help us to assess our progress as a nation and guide us in setting our priorities and direction for the next 60 years and beyond,” Clarke said during a statement in the House of Representatives.
