For those looking to find out just how many Bermudians have emigrated to the UK and other regions, the 2016 Population & Housing Census Pre-Report may be a disappointment.
The report, released on Monday, by the Minister of Government Reform Lovitta Foggo, on the data collected on Census Day, which was May 20, 2016, “contains highlights, concepts and definitions, and brief analyses of the data contained within the tables”.
“It also draws comparisons with the 2010 Census results,” said Ms Foggo.
It was also noted that “a subsequent report containing administrative information and the final census results with more detailed analysis will be completed by March 2018”.
But for those looking to find out just how many Bermudians have left the island to live abroad, the report fell short.
The report states: “The emigration and immigration statistics are not comparable due to the limitations of emigration data.
“The main limitation of the 2010 and 2016 Census emigration data is that it was unable to capture situations where entire households left the island, as there was no one to provide this information.
“In addition, if all of the household members of an emigrant moved to another household in Bermuda, the information about the emigrant would not likely have been collected.”
Some of the 2010-2016 highlights, which are outlined in the graphic include:
- The population decreased to 63,779
- The sex ratio increased to 93 males per 100 females
- The median age of the population increased to 44 years
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7%
- The number of dwelling units increased to 28,192
- The average household size declined to 2.26 persons per household
“The de jure population decreased to 63,917 and was comprised nearly entirely of the civilian non-institutional population, which decreased to 63,779. The number of non-sheltered persons counted increased to 138.
“Pembroke remained the largest share of the population distribution at 17 percent. Smith’s and Warwick had the only percentage point increases (+1) in their percentage distribution and St George’s and Sandys had the only percentage decrease (-1). The municipalities of the Town of St George’s and the City of Hamilton both had 1 percentage point declines in their distributions… Bermuda’s population density was 3,086 persons per square mile in 2016.”
The population aged 65 and older represented 17 percent of the population on Census Day, “shifting from the least populated age group in 2010 to the third most populated in 2016”.
“There were percentage point decreases in the three youngest age groups and percentage point increases in the two oldest age groups, an indicator of a continued ageing population.
“Specifically, the population 65 years and older had the largest percentage increase (+3) and the population aged 15-29 years had the largest percentage point decrease (-2). The median age of the population increased from 41 to 44 years, another indicator of an ageing population.”
On a related note: “The total dependency ratio increased from 43 to 46 dependents per hundred persons aged 16-64 years. The old age dependency ratio also increased from 19 to 25 while the youth dependency ratio decreased from 23 to 22.
“Dependency ratios can be used as an indicator of the economic burden carried by persons aged 15-64 years to support persons of dependency age (under 15 and 65 years or older).”
And “despite a two percentage point decline in their percentage distribution, blacks still represented more than half (52%) of the population”.
The report, which was compiled by the Department of Statistics, is available on the Government website, which states: “The Bermuda Census provides a snapshot of the demographic profile of Bermuda’s people and its economy at a particular time. It counts the number of people living in each area of a country and measures important characteristics about its society. This allows for comparisons to be made between geographical locations and across different time periods.
“Today, population and housing censuses are important for social development and economic planning. The United Nations encourages countries worldwide to conduct censuses at least every ten years so that benchmark data is collected about its population in areas such as education, health, employment, fertility, income and housing. This data is useful for evidence-based decision-making.
“People are asked questions pertaining to health care, education, employment, income, housing, international migration, fertility, etc. The data collection phase is the heart of any population and housing census, and therefore it is important that we provide accurate information when completing our census questionnaires.”