MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands’ population 2.563 of which 75%, live in Stanley, according to April census

Households total 1.269 with a very high level of ownership

The normal resident population of the Falkland Islands on Census Day (15 April 2012) was 2,841 according to the first results from the census published by the Falkland Islands Government and released on Monday.

This was a decrease of 4% since 2006, a decline entirely attributable to the decrease in the number of civilian contractors at Mount Pleasant Airfield (MPA), as non-residents, military personnel are not included in the census.

Excluding contractors at MPA, the true population figure of the Falkland Islands is 2.563, indicating that the population has remained static since 2006.

Stanley is home to 2.121 people, 75% of the population, an increase of less than 1 per cent since 2006.  The population in Camp (areas outside of Stanley) has declined by 3.3% to 351 people.

The census shows that 59% of residents consider their national identity to be ‘Falkland Islander’. 29% consider themselves British; 9.8% St Helenians, and 5.4% Chilean.

Commenting on the release Jan Cheek, Member of the Legislative Assembly said she wanted to thank the Policy Unit for their hard work in carrying out and analysing the Census data, and the public for their participation. 

“The census is a vital tool for planners and policy-makers and will help inform decision making for years to come.  The figures provide a wealth of information relating to our home and our people, and we look forward to further insights as the numbers are analysed further”, pointed out MLA Cheek.

Children aged 0-15 numbered 465 or 16.5% of the overall population of the Islands – a similar number to that reported in the 2006 Census.  Elderly persons (defined to be those aged 65 and over) numbered 301 or 10.7% of the population.  Comparison with the previous Census confirms that the trend is towards an aging population with the elderly population having increased by almost 14% since 2006.

Excluding persons living in communal accommodation, the Census recorded a total of 1.269 households in the Falkland Islands.  The vast majority of houses are detached (73%). A total of 98 households (7.9%) reported that they live in a flat, and 48 (3.9%) live permanently in a mobile home.  The Census shows that there is a very high level of home ownership in Stanley (62%) and Camp (70%).

Further findings include:

• The unemployment rate is 1%.
• Almost 20% of persons in employment have more than one job.
• The sex ratio in the Islands is a very balanced 101 males per 100 females
• Almost all accommodation has central heating throughout (93%)
• Kerosene is the main source of fuel used for heating in the Islands – with 79% of all households using this fuel for heating. This figure rises to almost 90% in Stanley
• Electricity is the main fuel for used for cooking in Stanley (53%), with a further 39% of households reporting gas as the main source of cooking. This contrasts with Camp where gas is the main source of fuel for cooking in 77% of households.
• 95% of households indicated that their accommodation was suitable for the basic needs of the households

Jamie Fotheringham, Head of Policy said that the statistics collected through the Census are vitally important in understanding peoples needs and in establishing what services need to be provided for people - from education, health, community care, housing and many more.
“We now have a comprehensive and up-to-date set of data to better inform such planning at these exciting times for the Islands.  I am particularly pleased with the success of the Census and would like to thank all of those involved in making it so successful”.