A national census, required at least once every ten years, has been declared for May 20, 2026, with information to be collected through online, telephone and personal interviews.

Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, told the House of Assembly that data gathering under the Statistics (Census of Population and Housing) Order 2025 would run from May 21, 2026 to March 31, 2027 to capture “comprehensively, uniformly and reliably the full picture of who we are as a country”.

He added: “In short, it allows us to fill the gap between assumptions and evidence.”

The last national census was in 2016. The next, which will count Bermuda’s population and dwelling units, and collect geographic, demographic, social and economic data, is themed “Fill the Gap.”

Mr Hayward said the information was “critical” for planning housing, healthcare, education, labour, transportation and social services.

He added: “It identifies movements in our workforce, helps us to understand demographic trends, population growth, emigration and shifts in housing composition and can highlight inequalities that may otherwise remain hidden.

“Without accurate and complete data, we are essentially planning in the dark.”

He said the Department of Statistics would launch a “robust public awareness campaign” on information collection and confidentiality, with personal information “safeguarded and used in aggregate only for statistical purposes”.

The census will cover an array of demographic characteristics including birthplace, sex, race, language and religion; immigration and emigration; health and marital status; education; economic activity and income; household members and visitors; and dwelling characteristics.

Douglas De Couto, of the One Bermuda Alliance, posed questions on the topic of emigration.

Mr Hayward clarified that there was no intention of canvassing Bermudians living overseas, but said it would be “100 per cent incorrect” to suggest that the Government was flying blind on the topic.

He added: “We will not be able to interview those that have left, but we will certainly get a better count of our population levels, and have an understanding of those persons who have emigrated.”

Mr Hayward also said his ministry had conducted a “robust study” separately — with the results of a Global Research survey brought to the House in June.

He added: “If we need to get more robust information regarding that at a future date, we will reconduct that survey.”

Dr De Couto also queried whether the census would cover the homeless population. Mr Hayward confirmed that officials would approach unsheltered people directly as well as the institutions that assisted them.

Opposition MP Vance Campbell questioned whether the time span allocated for the census would be adequate, and how its progress would be monitored.

Mr Hayward said the ministry had “all confidence” in its timing and said it would be tracked by the response rate to the online census, telephone calls and face-to-face interviews.

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Census Statement.pdf

• To read the minister’s statement in full, see Related Media