MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands to hold its 2026 Census: when it will take place

The arrangements set out for completing the Census indicate that households and families will be able to complete the census form either online or on paper.

On Sunday, October 18, the Falklands will carry out the 2026 Census of households and families. It is a household and family survey, organized every five years by law, providing a snapshot of all residents and households in the Falklands.

According to the official statement, Census responses will help the government take decisions on the planning and funding of public services, including education, health, housing and infrastructure.

Taking part in the Census is a legal requirement and all households must comply. British military personnel and their families currently stationed in the Falklands are exempt. Visitors present in the Islands on Census night must also be included on the Census forms.

The arrangements set out for completing the Census indicate that households and families must register to indicate how they intend to complete the census form, either online or in the traditional paper format.

Households opting for the online route will receive the information needed to access eCensus. Those choosing the paper form will receive a pack by post with the details.

The next steps are to register and report whether the household intends to complete the form via eCensus or on paper.

The registration period begins in September. Further information on this and on how to complete the forms will be provided in the coming weeks.

The Census will include Falklands residents who are temporarily off the Islands on Census night.

If the householder, or any or all members of the family, are away from the Islands on Census night, October 18, they should contact census2026@sec.gov.fk so that alternative arrangements can be made to ensure they are able to take part.

The previous Falklands census took place on Sunday, October 10, 2021. It was the twenty-fifth since the first population count carried out by the then resident Governor in 1842.

The results of that Census, which recorded a population of 3,662, were published in two rounds: preliminary figures in October 2022 and a second release with the full survey detail in 2024. The pandemic delayed the work of analyzing and publishing the Census results.According to the official statement, Census responses will help the government take decisions on the planning and funding of public services, including education, health, housing and infrastructure.

Taking part in the Census is a legal requirement and all households must comply. British military personnel and their families currently stationed in the Falklands are exempt. Visitors present in the Islands on Census night must also be included on the Census forms.

The arrangements set out for completing the Census indicate that households and families must register to indicate how they intend to complete the census form, either online or in the traditional paper format.

Households opting for the online route will receive the information needed to access eCensus. Those choosing the paper form will receive a pack by post with the details.

The next steps are to register and report whether the household intends to complete the form via eCensus or on paper.

The registration period begins in September. Further information on this and on how to complete the forms will be provided in the coming weeks.

The Census will include Falklands residents who are temporarily off the Islands on Census night.

If the householder, or any or all members of the family, are away from the Islands on Census night, October 18, they should contact census2026@sec.gov.fk so that alternative arrangements can be made to ensure they are able to take part.

The previous Falklands census took place on Sunday, October 10, 2021. It was the twenty-fifth since the first population count carried out by the then resident Governor in 1842.

The results of that Census, which recorded a population of 3,662, were published in two rounds: preliminary figures in October 2022 and a second release with the full survey detail in 2024. The pandemic delayed the work of analyzing and publishing the Census results.