Bermuda Population Projections Report Released

October 18, 2018

From 2016 ‐ 2026, Bermuda’s population is projected to decrease from 63,791 to 63,680, the median age is projected to rise from 44.1 years to 48.6 years, and the proportion of seniors [65 years and older] is projected to climb from 16.9% to 24.9%.

These were some of the statistics contained in the Bermuda’s Population Projections 2016 – 2026 Report from the Department of Statistics.

Some of the 2016 to 2026 highlights include:

  • The mid-year population is projected to decrease from 63,791 to 63,680.
  • The annual growth rate is expected to change from 0.2% to -0.2%.
  • The crude birth rate is projected to fall from 9.3 to 7.3.
  • The crude death rate is expected to increase from 7.6 to 9.4.
  • Life expectancy at birth is projected to increase from 81.9 years to 83.5 years.
  • The median age is projected to rise from 44.1 years to 48.6 years.
  • The proportion of seniors [65 years and older] is projected to climb from 16.9% to 24.9%.
  • The old-age dependency ratio is expected to increase from 24.7 to 39.9.

Minister for the Cabinet Office with Responsibility for Government Reform Lovitta Foggo said, “The report highlights some critical realities for Bermuda’s future population, and the government is being proactive in finding solutions today, to ensure a better tomorrow for Bermudians.

“For our seniors, we continue to closely monitor the performance of our pension funds and are exploring the benefits of increasing the retirement age to 67. Similar reforms will be made to our Social Insurance scheme.”

“Given the demographic shifts and the increase in non-communicable conditions, we know that health costs and the pressures on long term care will continue to challenge us. The current important work that the Ministry of Health is engaged in to change the way we pay for health care and boost the long term care sector is specifically being undertaken to offset these projections.

“Furthermore, the Department of Financial Assistance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has developed a Home Care Policy whereby seniors are encouraged to age at home where possible. The Policy provides for payment for in home care of eligible seniors by qualified caregivers.”

Lastly, as it relates to supporting the housing needs of our seniors, the Minister said, “The Ministry of Public Works through the Bermuda Housing Corporation [BHC] has met with Age Concern and representatives from the Health Ministry to discuss the aging population and their projected needs.

“Talks continue to address the long term needs of independent seniors as well as assisted care facilities for our valued seniors. The BHC has also partnered with the Bermuda Housing Trust in assisting with retrofitting some of their properties to better assist our seniors’ housing needs.”

Minister Foggo concluded, “Our Government is taking a caring, proactive approach to the projections as outlined in the report. This data will be utilized to ensure that the right policies, initiatives and programmes are developed and implemented to meet the needs of our ever changing population.”

The Bermuda’s Population Projections 2016-2026 follows below [PDF here]:

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Comments (14)

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  1. sandgrownan says:

    tick tock tick tock

    A demographic timebomb…….need more people now…..

    • inna says:

      You gotta give the PLP till AT LEAST 2025! Come on now!

    • 2 Bermudas says:

      This is the PLP setting themselves up to sell….. Pathways to Status to their supportera!! Ha ha ha!! Them lot make me laugh!! Would you like some titty milk wif de Pathways to Status to make it easier to digest?!?!

  2. Jt says:

    We need more young people Walton.

  3. gustav says:

    just to call for more people is not the solution.
    we need more jobs for young people who have to pay the social systems.
    just people without jobs , doesn’t help

    • sandgrownan says:

      Which is why you need pathways to status or similar for job creators – the ability for long term residents to remain. It’s not about “diluting” Bermuda, it’s about ensuring there is a Bermuda.

  4. Um Um Like says:

    taking a proactive approach while reacting to a situation…

    Enough smoke & mirrors, PLP.

  5. Bermudian Overseas says:

    http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/bermuda-population/
    shows Bermuda’s current population at 60,986. (Oct. 19, 2018)

  6. Stand for Truth says:

    sandgrownan your comment is another way of saying replace the individuals whose ancestors built this country with invaders to oppress the natives, you have these supposed to be job creators who are paying slave wages and who run these exempt companies and law firms who continue to hire foreigners where the wages are livable.

    Employment is built on the same concept as slavery. This is why majority of those who support pathway to status look like the slave owners and have the same spirit and mindset.

  7. Safety says:

    Nobody wants to leave in a country they cant afford. Basic rent and food is ridiculous. Why would people want to create children to suffer.

  8. Safety says:

    Nobody want to live in a country they cant afford. Basic food and rent is ridiculous. Why create more people just to suffer.

  9. One Who Escaped says:

    I hardly think 111 over so many people is even worth noting. Plus, this is just a projection. Everyone is complaining about the lack of jobs and now you’re saying we need more people!? SMH

    • sandgrownan says:

      Look. It’s simple.

      In order to support the old, the infirm, educate our children, run the busses, collect the trash and pay down the monstrous debt we have (thanks PLP), you need a critical mass of tax payers. And we don’t have that.

      tick tock tick tock…..

  10. Hbomb says:

    There is a big problem with these numbers as it only takes birthrates , deaths etc into consideration from the 2016 data and not imigration. How many extras were on island in 2016 due to the AC which have now left. Those people would have bought the average age down as none would have been seniors and may well have had families. The 2018 data stated that there was just above 60k on island comaored to the projection within this data of 63k. Bermuda needs to reform immigration policy now to keep this country alive and the only party that can make it happen is the PLP as the OBA aren’t trusted by the masses. I hope the PLP do the right thing and drive through change rather than listen to the hard liners.