Guyana records notable population growth since 1991 –Finance Minister

Nov 18, 2011 News

Although Guyana’s population remains relatively young, there has been very clear evidence that it is maturing chronologically.
This assertion was made by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, when he launched the State of the World Report recently. His disclosure was premised on the findings of the last population census report which was issued by the Bureau of Statistics in 2002.
Based on that report, the Minister said that there were some clear and distinct population trends that were documented particularly if one were to look back at the previous two (1991 and 1980) population census reports.
Some of the trends, he revealed, were clear and definitive findings that showed that the population declined between 1980 and 1991.
However, that trend was clearly reversed during the period 1991 and 2002 thus allowing the population to resume its path of growth.
But, according to the Minister that was not the only trend that emerged since the relatively young population was even then maturing.
He pointed out that the 2002 census report documented that the median age of the population was 22.9 years and the median age in 1991 was in fact 21.8. “So there was a very clear upward trend as it relates to the median age. But that statistic didn’t stand on its own…” according to Dr. Singh who pointed out that when the percentage of the population above 55 was considered it was evident that that percent grew from 8.2 to 9.4 per cent over the 1991 to 2002 period.
Another glaring indicator was the fact that the faction of the population below 19 years of age had moved from 46.3 to 44.4 over the 1991 to 2002 period.
This development, according to Dr. Singh, revealed a development that perhaps didn’t come as a surprise to most as it points to the fact that “we have achieved progress in medical care that people are surviving longer as the life expectancy is higher than it was 20 years ago.”
“I am happy to assure you that we are, as a government, extremely mindful of these trends that are being observed…whether it be implications for our health care system, national insurance and taking care of those who are aging, I am happy to say that we are not mindful but instead we are as a government extremely attentive to the policy implications of these population changes.”
The Minister’s remarks come even as the Bureau of Statistics prepares to complete yet another census which is expected to have approximately mid next year as its execution deadline.
Guyana and Suriname have been listed as the only two Caricom countries that have not completed their 2010 census reports.

Latest News

Guyana records notable population growth since 1991 –Finance Minister

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega...

Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on...

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta...

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural...

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of...

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final...

Features/Columnists

A call for more cultural centres

Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all

Political constants: opportunism, ambition or betrayal

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Guyana records notable population growth since 1991 –Finance Minister

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]