Preliminary findings from the 2023 Population and Housing Census paint a stark picture of Montserrat’s demographic landscape, indicating a notable decline in its population over the past decade.
According to data released by the Statistics Department of Montserrat, the island’s population has dwindled by 10.9 per cent since 2011.
In 2024, Montserrat is reported to have 4,386 ordinary residents, a significant drop from the 4,922 recorded in 2011.
Gender balance and residential distribution
Despite the decline, gender parity remains nearly intact, with men constituting 49.9 per cent of the population and women making up 50.1 per cent.
The island’s residential distribution reveals that 33.1 per cent of residents reside in the Central Region, while 47.4 per cent call the Northern Region home.
Currently, Montserrat boasts 2,256 private homes, each housing an average of 1.9 residents.
Volcanic eruption’s lingering impact
The island’s demographic shift can be traced back to the catastrophic eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano in 1995, which rendered much of Montserrat uninhabitable.
Once boasting a population exceeding 13,000 residents, the aftermath of the eruption spurred mass emigration, leaving a fraction of the populace behind.
Census challenges
Data collection for the census spanned from September 12, 2023, to January 30, 2024.
However, the process faced obstacles, including reluctance from some individuals to participate and difficulties in reaching specific households.
These challenges necessitated an extension beyond the initially planned wrap-up date of November 30, 2023.
Historical data collection
Montserrat’s commitment to census-taking dates back centuries, with records indicating population data collection as early as 1678.
Since 1871, census efforts have been conducted every decade, with exceptions noted in 1931 and 2021.
