Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh has signed the Census Order, declaring September 15 as Census Day in Guyana.
It was published on Friday in the Official Gazette. The signing of this order followed the approval for supplemental funding in the National Assembly this week, for $2 billion to aid in the execution of the census.
The declaration of Census Day allows the Bureau of Statistics, an agency of the Ministry of Finance, to count the population at a specified point in time and marks the commencement of a three-month long enumeration period for the 2022 National Population and Housing Census.
A Population and Housing Census is a complete count of the population, which is conducted every 10 years and provides detailed data on population size, age structure, educational attainment, labour force, housing, and many other socio-economic characteristics.
Guyana’s last census was conducted in 2012, and since then, there have been many changes across the length and breadth of the country. These changes include the population size, composition, economic activities, access to social services, maternal health, food security, agricultural activity and education attainment, among other areas of change.
“The census, Guyana’s largest national data collection exercise is more than just a headcount, as it plays a critical role in evaluating the aforementioned changes and data collected during the 2022 census will contribute significantly towards chartering the course of national development over the next ten years. This data is extremely valuable to users at all levels, including Government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), students, researchers and international agencies,” a statement from the Finance Ministry detailed.
The Population & Housing Census is an extremely important exercise that produces a large amount of socio-economic and demographic data that is used for planning and national development.
All of these changes have an impact on the demand for social services, such as health, housing & education. This information is in great demand by the policymakers for planning and development, private sector, students, researchers and donor agencies.
It should be noted that census data is collected, analysed, and made available in an aggregated format, while ensuring that individual information is treated with the strictest of confidence. Provisions under Chapter 19:09 of the Statistics Act ensures that the data is only used for analytical purposes and that any individual data is protected and never made public.
Meanwhile, among some of the preparatory works being undertaken by the Bureau of Statistics are the establishment of temporary regional offices, finalisation of data collection tools, training of approximately 3000 temporary personnel and the rolling out of a public education and awareness campaign.
All persons in Guyana are being encouraged to fully participate in the 2022 census by providing accurate information and cooperating with the enumerators/census-takers, who are scheduled to visit every household and building in Guyana.
Guyana’s population count in 2012 stood at 746,955, a decline from the previous census in 2002 which saw a count of 751,223. (G12)
