Census unveiled-Population increases to 749,190
Berbice sees 18,600 decline
Stabroek News
May 15, 2004
The population of Region 6 has fallen sharply, by over 18,600, since 1991 while the population in each of the other nine regions has increased with strong gains in the interior, taking the total population in Guyana as of late 2002 to 749,190, an increase of 3.53%.
According to the preliminary census report, the total population (not including the institutional population which includes hospitals, old age homes etc.) had been 758,256 in 1980 and this fell to 718,406 in 1991. And while the population of Region 4 increased in 2002, this growth was characterised by internal population shifts. The population of the city proper (Georgetown) actually declined by 14,663 to reach 34,179 while the population in the suburbs grew by 314 to reach 103,151. As a result, population growth in Region 4 is concentrated outside of the city and along the East Coast and East Bank Demerara areas. Region Four continues to account for 42% of the population while Region 6 accounts for 16.5% as against 19.6% in 1991. The Region 5 population grew by 2.78%.
The preliminary census report was presented to the government several weeks ago and was last week handed over to the board of the Bureau of Statistics but has not yet been made public. However, one board member reported asking questions about some of the data and some of the preliminary comments and clarifications are to be provided today by the Bureau on the issue.
The preliminary report does not provide reasons for the numbers it contains or for the changes since the last census, nor does it provide the birth rate, migration rate, death rate, unemployment rate or any other analysis. It was intended to reflect the factual findings of the Census. The highest levels of growth in the population came from the less populous regions with Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) showing the most rapid growth of 65.2%, doubling the size of its 1980 population and a 65% increase from 1991.
Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) population increased by 29.56%, while Region One’s (Barima/Waini) population grew by 26.84% and Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) by 8.53%. Region 2 population grew by 12.2% while Region 10 grew by 1.13%. Linden’s population declined by 794 persons since 1991 to a level of 29,572.
The most populous regions, four, three and six, still account for over 70% of the population but at 71.9% this is down 2.9% from the 1991 level. The population on the coast has declined from 87.1% to 85.5% while the interior regions increased their share and now account for 14.4% of the population. The rural population is now 70.9% from 67.6% in 1991 while the urban population dropped from 32.4% to 29.1%. Household size shrinking The number of households has increased from 154,153 in 1991 to 185,800, consistent with the decline of the extended family concept and movement to nuclear families. The demand for land and housing is behind this trend and is responsible for the decline in the size of households from 5.1 persons in 1980 to 4.1 in 1991 and 4.0 in 2002.
A few more women than men The population sex ratio is now 99.1, indicating that the population is close to being equally divided between male and female. The female population comprises 50.7% of the population. An excess of males over females has been recorded in all regions except for Regions 4, 5 and 10. This is an increase in the incidence of male predominance from four regions in the 1991 census. Women’s numerical advantage in the three regions is significant in Region 4.
Males dominated in Region 8 (130) with other interior regions, 7, 9 and 1, also having ratios above the average.
This, the report says, is consistent with an ongoing trend of male internal migration as well as immigration from border countries to pursue economic activities and is counterbalanced by female movement to the coastland regions in search of jobs. Region 7 recorded an increase in the female population.
Population density Because of the growth and redistribution, overall population density moved from 3.3 (1991) to 3.4 persons per square kilometre. The population densities continue to range from 138.4 persons per square kilometre in Region 4 to 0.3 in the most sparsely populated Regions 7 and 9.
On the coast, Regions 3, 5 and 2 remain the other densely populated regions.
Vacant buildings A total stock of buildings of 187,696 was recorded, with the highest concentration in Regions 4, 6 and 3. A total of 201,536 dwelling units and businesses were enumerated by the census team, indicating the trend and necessity of multiple uses of buildings.
The highest proportion of vacant dwellings was found in Region 6 (9.22%) which was well above the national average of 6.92%. In Region 4 the vacant dwelling ratio is 6.04% while the lowest of 4.81% was found in Region 10.
The final report of the 2002 Census could be out in another six months.