The number of people living in Montserrat dropped by 536 between 2011 and 2023, according to the results of the latest population and housing census.
The total population was recorded as 4,922 in 2011 during the previous population and housing census and then 4,386 in 2023 – a reduction of 10.9%.
The downward trend was also confirmed in 2018 during the labour force census when there were 4,649 residents recorded in Montserrat.
The Statistics Department Montserrat released preliminary key findings from the 2023 Population and Housing Census in a press release on 19 April.
The results provide up-to-date population information including demographics, housing, and socio-economic characteristics for informed decision-making on Montserrat’s future.
“These data also equip policymakers, stakeholders and planners with the necessary information needed to tackle urgent issues and immediate challenges,” the department said.
Gender and age
The department found that the gender distribution in Montserrat was fairly balanced in 2023, with males comprising of 49.9% (2,189 people) and females making up 50.1% (2,197).
In 2011, there was a higher number of males at 51.7% than females at 48.3%.
An analysis of the age demographics shows that the population under 15 years was 707 people in 2023, and accounted for 16.1% of the total population.
In 2011, the same age group was made up of 971 people or 19.7% of the population.
In 2023, the population range of 15 to 64 years stood at 2,806 people and the 65 and over age group at 873 people or 19.9% of the population.
This is up from 2011 when the 65 and over population encompassed 14% of the population.
Location and households
The household population – those enumerated in private households – stood at 4,255 people in 2023 in comparison to 4,775 in the 2011 census.
Of those, 19.6% lived south of Nantes River, 33.1% in the central region and 47.4% in the northern region.
This is similar to 2011 where this distribution accounted for 18.1%, 33.8% and 48.1% respectively.
Lookout at 13.9%, Davy Hill at 9.9% and St John’s at 9.3% held the top three positions for the most populated enumeration districts in Montserrat.
The number of households was 2,256 in 2023 compared to 2,335 in 2011, and the average household size saw a decrease from two people in 2011 to 1.9 in 2023.
Gathering data
The Population and Housing Census is conducted every ten years and was originally planned for execution in May 2021.
However, delays resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic pushed the start of data collection to September 23, 2023.
Initially set to wrap up by November 30, 2023, the process was prolonged until January 30, 2024, due to challenges involving refusals and difficulties in reaching specific households.
Field staff counted people in private and non-private dwellings, such as hospitals, elderly homes and prisons, as well as recorded information on housing stock.
The latest census achieved a 98.6%-person response rate. All data collected remains confidential and secure.
More data
The work on the census tabulations is not fully complete.
The Statistics Department is engaged in coding, specifically related to the labour force indicators, and other tables, the press release said.
“The department solicits the public’s patience and understanding as they work to produce thematic reports and other publications of the findings,” it added.
These reports will cover various topics, including employment, education, country of birth, ethnicity and religion, housing, and dwelling amenities, among others.
The first census on Montserrat on record was in 1678. Censuses have been conducted every 10 years since 1871, with the exception of 1931.
