Director of Statistics Ms. Katrina Ryan
There were a total of 4,882 persons physically present on Montserrat on Census Day, May 12, 2011. Of the 4,882 persons tabulated 2514 were males and 2,368 were females. There were 146 more males than females. This once in a decade survey revealed no homeless persons on island. This information was revealed by the Director of Statistics Ms. Katrina Ryan from the Department of Statistics on Friday. According Ms. Ryan this count represents the de facto population of Montserrat.
It consists of all persons within the geographical boundaries of Montserrat on Census night including visitors but excluding residents who were temporarily overseas on census night.
“At census 2001, a few persons were not attached to a dwelling and were considered ‘homeless’. For this Census, all persons were found either living in private dwellings or living collectively in non-private dwellings. Less than two per cent (1.6%) of persons were in non-private dwellings which includes the prison, the Homes for the elderly, the hospital, the hostel, the campsite, the hotel, bed and breakfast accommodation and guest houses”, Ms. Ryan explained.
She added also, that, “The proportion of persons who were living in Her Majesty’s Prison and the Homes for the elderly remained relatively unchanged at 2 per cent of the population between Census 2001 and 2011”.
“On census Day, more than forty per cent of the persons on island were found north of Caines River, that is, in area from Carrs Bay, Barzeys to Look Out. Twelve per cent (12%) of the de facto population or 583 persons were found South of Nantes River’’ Ms Ryan stated.
The Director said, “All information on the de facto population was compiled from the administrative records used during the census, the Non-Private Dwellings Questionnaire and the final question on the Household Questionnaire, which asked where the respondent spent Census Night.
The other type of population count done by the Department of Statistics was the de jure population count. “The de jure population count is based on the person’s usual place of residence. The de jure count for the census will therefore exclude all visitors and include usual residents who were temporarily away’’, she stated.
Information regarding the population demographics would not be available until March 2012. Ms. Ryan said, “The work on the Census Questionnaires has not been completed”, she added that “At this point the Statistics Department is engaged in coding the Questionnaires. During this process every response on the questionnaire will be assigned a code, which will be manually entered in the Census database. After the data processing has been completed, the de jure population count will be produced”.
The de jure population would reflect more accurately Montserrat’s population size. “This population count provides a better indication of the permanent population of Montserrat and will be used to develop many policies”, she said.
When asked if the people of Montserrat were co-operative during the census, Ms. Ryan said the majority of persons co-operated and she was very proud of the people of Montserrat and was thankful for their support. She said there were no major issues.
