News Source Guyana Reports | More than three years after the 2022 Population and Housing Census was conducted, the release of the findings remains unclear, prompting questions from the public and officials alike. Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, addressed the media today, expressing his uncertainty regarding the prolonged delay in announcing the report, which is critical for informing government policies and programs.
The Bureau of Statistics last provided an update on the census in October 2024, promising a preliminary report would be released “soon.” However, a year later, no publication has materialized.
In response to rumors suggesting that political interference is behind the delay, the Bureau of Statistics refuted such claims, labeling them as “simply erroneous.” It stated that the delay is due to its commitment to professional diligence amidst the significant challenges faced during the census process.
The Bureau highlighted that census activities throughout the Caribbean Region have encountered similar obstacles. At the time, countries like Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Dominica, and St. Lucia reported extended timelines for their census activities, sometimes extending beyond two years.
Emphasizing its independence, the Bureau of Statistics reiterated that it operates as a semi-autonomous agency, aligned with the Statistics Act of 1965 and the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2014. The Bureau remains committed to ensuring statistical confidence in the accuracy of the census results, unaffected by political influences.
As calls for transparency grow, the public eagerly awaits updates on the census report, which could hold significant implications for national development planning.
