VIDEO: Census shows birth rate decline, marginal population increase

Despite public sentiments suggesting significant increase in Jamaica’s population figures, the latest national census has shown a decline in births has triggered only a marginal increase in Jamaica's population over the last 10 years.

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) released its 2011 Population and Housing Census findings today, showing the population now stands at less than 2.7 million.



The 2.68 million population count represents a mere 3.5 per cent increase in the nearly 10 years since the last census was taken in 2001.

And the survey shows that less than 500,000 babies were added to the Jamaica population over the past decade.

STATIN's data reveals the birth rate has fallen from an average of 24.2 per 1,000 in 1991 to 17.4 per 1,000 in 2001.

STATIN's Director of Censuses, Demographic and Social Statistic, Dr Valerie Nam attributed the slow growth rate to a significant downward trajectory of the birth rate.

Between 2001 and 2011, 438,000 babies were added to the local population which lost nearly 348,000 persons to death.

The figures also reflect a marginal increase in the in deaths rates from 6.4 per 1,000 in 1991 to 7.1 in 2001.

STATIN found that the difference in the population from natural increase was approximately 259,000 over the decade.

editorial@gleanerjm.com