Census 2019

About the Census

The Population and Housing Census is a complete count of the Solomon Islands’ population. It will be conducted beginning of November until midnight on the 24th November 2019. The 2019 Census will cover all ten provinces of Solomon Islands namely, Choiseul, Western, Isabel, Central, Guadalcanal, Rennel & Bellona, Malaita_(includes the outer Islands), Makira-Ulawa, Temotu and the capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara.

The Census is the largest and most important project under taken by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office. The Census is necessary for the country to update its population information at the provincial level and to provide data reflecting the country’s base population for future planning.

Gathering census information requires participation from you and the information you provide will help to gather the estimated population for the Solomon Islands. This useful information will help to distribute the government’s funds and plan services right back to the community for priority areas like health, education, housing, sanitation, banking facilities, transportation, and the environment.

The 2019 Census information will be useful to individuals, stakeholders, organisations and public and private sectors for planning, decision making and implementation of policy for the Solomon Islands.

Census Background

The Solomon Islands Census was first conducted in 1931 then again in 1959. After that it was deferred and became a sample survey which was done by the British Solomon Islands’ Protectorate.

Interestingly, the third census was collected in the 1970 it was a full and comparable census by district level. However, with little progress and improvement by the Solomon Islands’ government, a complete Census was held in 1976, 1986, 1999 and 2009. In 2009 several different capacity development programs were conducted to support statistical collection process and analysis of data. The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) trained staff in Census Cartography for mapping and in CSpro for data processing. The results showed the population characteristics of the Solomon Islands which was used by the Solomon Islands Government to make decisions.’

Census Questions

The 2019 Census questionnaire will be similar to the 2009 Census questions and includes questions on demographics, economic activity, children born, and household and housing information. Other topics have been reviewed and may be included depending on the national importance of the topic.

Census definition

A Census is defined as an official count of the population of a country and a collection of facts about that country’s population.

Census is useful

Census data is used for decision making, planning, policy development, administration, and government activities. Businesses, researchers, communities and private organisations use Census information. The Census provides information on the entire country and offers detail on smaller geographic areas and small population groups.

Confidentiality of Census

Census employees will keep all personal data confidential and we assure you that all Census data is securely stored in private. Census information will not be released to any government office, agencies, private organisations or individuals. Under the Census Act 1959, anyone who shares information gained from the census, without lawful authority, is guilty of an offence. The most important responsibility of the Census Office is to keep all Census data confidential.

Reliable Census

The 2019 census gives us a great opportunity to track our progress over time. A reliable and comparable census will help us to see how the Solomon Islands population has changed since 1986,1999 and 2009. The information you provide will help create a road map for planning and decision making for the Solomon Islands. We can all work together to better our country by providing accurate information in the Census.