Census 2010 is the Cayman Islands’ population and housing count. Trained census enumerators will begin the count on “10-10-10” (10 October 2010). The count should be completed by mid-November 2010.

Census 2010 will provide vital statistics that anyone can use to make better decisions – decisions about developing laws, determining which district you’ll live in, deciding if your business idea has merit, and so many more.

To put it another way, census data helps to determine how government, businesses, civic groups, and even individuals spend money.

Some activities that rely on census data include:

• building offices; houses; schools; and health and recreation facilities;
• developing and improving roads and public utilities; and
• developing products, markets, policies, projects or resources for all residents or for particular age groups, areas or districts.

Yes. It is completely safe to give the information requested by the enumerator, because the Statistics Law protects the confidentiality of census interviews, as follows:

• No names are entered or kept in the census database.
• No individual data is accessible to the public.
• Census results will be given to the public in anonymous collective form only.
• The data is used only for statistical purposes.
• By law, only ESO-trained enumerators and staff have access to census questionnaires.
• Under the law, interviewers face stiff penalties for any breach of confidentiality.

It is natural to wonder why we seek names. The way the census form is designed, listing the name of each person in the household prompts respondents to include everyone and keep track of answers. Remember, your personal information, including your name, is protected by the Statistics Law.

The rate of employment is a strong indicator of the health of any economy. Data on employment helps government agencies to identify growth areas and career opportunities for young people. In the case of high unemployment, it helps with budgeting for social assistance.

The questions about nationality, origin and immigration status give government insight into the composition of Cayman’s society and in general allow government to plot growth. More specifically, it gives planners an idea of the cultural composition of society which in turn allows agencies such as the Department of Education Services, the police and social services to plan for cultural diversity.

This question hasn’t been asked before, but was added to this year’s census because with rising healthcare costs, it is important to know how many people are vulnerable.

As with the query about chronic diseases, answers to this question will help government to better plan for disabled residents. In practical terms, this can include expanding disabled parking space and ensuring that public buildings are all wheelchair-accessible. On another level, information about disabilities combines with workforce data to allow the tracking of any discrimination against the disabled.

Medical data is very personal and sensitive, and we understand that. However, it is critical that government has up-to-date information on chronic diseases. Conditions such as diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, asthma, high blood pressure and heart problems, cost the country and individuals millions. Armed with better statistics, government can plan awareness and prevention programmes and budget for the long-term health care costs associated with chronic medical conditions.

Asking your gender might seem too personal a question, but the truth is, census data regarding gender is important to social planners for shaping future programmes. It further helps track social issues such as gender equality and workforce access. Sociologists apart, economists and other researchers also use this data to analyse social and economic trends and as such, gender is an important analytical variable.

We ask this question to obtain an accurate count of the number of people in each household on Census Day. More importantly though, once all the data has been collected, we will know exactly how many people were resident in the Cayman Islands on 10 October, 2010. The information will provide a ‘snapshot’ of our population and housing stock at a specific point in time. Only residents will be counted in the Census 2010, but our census workers are trained to make the distinction. For instance, visitors will not be counted.

Age might seem insignificant, but it can be one of the most important data sets. Government needs facts about age to understand the country’s social and economic characteristics; planners will use it to forecast future demand for pension, social services and healthcare benefits. It is also used widely in planning and evaluating government programmes and policies that provide funds or services for children, working-age adults, women of childbearing age and the elderly.

Asking your gender might seem too personal a question, but the truth is, census data regarding gender is important to social planners for shaping future programmes. It further helps track social issues such as gender equality and workforce access. Sociologists apart, economists and other researchers also use this data to analyse social and economic trends and as such, gender is an important analytical variable.

We’ve promised that all information gathered will be confidential. Providing your telephone number does not affect this. We simply ask for a contact number in case we need to return to clarify or complete any missing information on the form.

Your answers to this question will give us an idea of homeownership, the rate of which serves as an important economic indicator. The data will also be used by the National Housing Development Trust to plan for and budget housing assistance programmes.

In this year’s census there are a number of questions specific to your house, such as your main source of water or your use of renewable energy. These questions might seem unusual, but Census 2010 supports progress and this kind of information tells government exactly where it’s at, relative to infrastructure development.

Cayman’s last census was in 1999, when the population count was 39,410. The population has changed significantly since then.

Trained enumerators from the Economics and Statistics Office (ESO) will visit households in all three islands of Cayman. They will interview residents and complete the questionnaires, as required by the Cayman Islands Statistics Law.

Yes. Enumerators are carefully chosen, trained extensively, and tested hands-on to ensure all interviews are conducted professionally, and confidentially.

A resident is:

• Anyone living in Cayman for at least six months; or
• Anyone living in the Cayman Islands on 10 October 2010, who also intends to stay for at least six consecutive months.

The census is compulsory under the Statistics Law (2010 Revision). However, participation is more than your obligation – it’s your right! If you are a Cayman resident as of Census Day, make sure your household is counted. Only the head of household, or any other knowledgeable adult in your household, needs to be interviewed.

The Cayman Islands will be divided into about 250 enumeration areas (EA). Each EA will contain some 100 households.

An interviewer assigned to each EA will be given a detailed map of the area, and blank census questionnaires. He or she must interview all households within the assigned EA.

Field supervisors will check the quality of the interview results, while district supervisors will provide overall field management.

As the questionnaires are completed, they will be checked at ESO for completeness. Then, the data will be entered into a census database. Again, this data will not be linked to any individual.

The database will be used to produce and publish statistical reports, containing tables, graphs and maps. The reports also will be posted on the ESO website, www.eso.ky.

Home insurance provides a financial safety net in case of catastrophic damage to your house, especially in a hurricane zone. Without it, natural and other disasters can create considerable hardship. It is therefore important for government to know whether people have or lack insurance. For instance, should the data point to the latter, policy makers can be pro-active in promoting ways to rectify this.

Providing adequate and accessible education services is an important aspect of ensuring future prosperity. Data on how many children attend which schools in what districts informs government on the need for more classrooms, teachers and services.

These questions can be termed socio-economic indicators.

As with homeownership, the level of education is a major indicator of a country’s success. Awareness of completed educational levels also helps agencies plan for specific programmes such as vocational schools and adult literacy programmes.

Your first reaction might be that this is none of our business. However, censuses are designed to gather the general demographical data that assists forward planning. For instance, a country with a high percentage of single parents might invest in additional government-sponsored daycare centres to help those parents cope.