Census: 95% Of Assessment Numbers Counted
The Department of Statistics is seeking responses from the final households not yet counted in the 2016 Census, and reminded the public that all Bermuda residents, both Bermudian and non-Bermudian, are required by law to complete a Census questionnaire.
Premier Michael Dunkley said, “I am pleased to say we have almost 95% of assessment numbers accounted for. In mid-December that number stood at 82%. Less than a month ago, on 8 February, that number had risen to 90%, so I am very pleased and impressed with the progress made.”
The Department of Statistics is looking for the remaining households to take action now because the deadline is 31 March. If you have not been counted, please choose an option to complete your household’s questionnaire:
- call the number on the ‘Request for an Interview’ card, if this has been left at your residence, to arrange an interview
- call 297-7761 to complete your questionnaire by phone
- email statistics@gov.bm to make a phone appointment
- visit in person, CedarPark Centre, 3rd Floor, 48 Cedar Avenue, Hamilton, weekdays between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
The information collected from the Census questionnaires will help Government, the private sector and the non-profit sector make important decisions about Bermuda’s future, the Government said.
“Historically, Census data has been used to develop effective forward planning strategies relating to infrastructure, education, health, employment and other economic and social requirements. This particular Census questionnaire collects population and housing data.”
Melinda Williams, Director of the Department of Statistics said, “Census interviewers will continue to visit homes across the island. I want to thank those who have fulfilled their legal requirement to complete the questionnaire and encourage those who have not to do so now.”
Maybe next census would be done smarter and they’ll mail the questionnaire out to households in a machine readable format and make additional copies available at Post Offices and Gov buildings or able to be printed off at home.
I suspect the first phase of the process where people could fill it out online, was done specifically to effect a big cost savings over printing and mass-mailing a document to all households.
But in regard to having a PDF etc available for download or available at Post Offices etc., are there increased risks for fraud, falsification, etc., that would be less likely through online/phone/in-person communication?
As opposed to paying a bunch of people to go to homes and make calls?
No more increased risk, anyone could call the department for a phone interview, use the name of someone they know/give a random assessment number and answer the questions.
The phone call/home visit vs printing/mailing, I can’t argue with you, but completing an online form certainly is a cost savings over either.
But maybe someone from the Dept of Statistics could weigh in on why mailing out census forms wasn’t considered. Me personally, I did the online form and found it convenient.
You really believe people will sit down and fill out a questionnaire form and than mail it back. Keep dreaming.
You’d be surprised. Some people will absolutely refuse to have someone come to their home or do it over the phone.