Latest National Census reveals interesting facts |06 September 2013

The main objectives of the Population & Housing Census which was carried out in August 2010 were to provide government, policy makers, planners and researchers with an update on the size and distribution of the population, and its demographic and socio-economic characteristics.

For the first time, questions on disability and crime were also included in the census questionnaire. Information on the housing stock, type, condition and tenure were also collected as well as amenities available in the households.

www.nation.sc  highlights some very interesting facts that have come out of the census.

The population of Seychelles now stands at 90,945. The most populated district is Baie Sainte Anne followed by Anse Etoile, Cascade and Au Cap. Other districts with populations of more than 4,000 inhabitants are English River, Anse Royale, Beau Vallon and Anse Boileau. Cascade has been traditionally ranked among the relatively low-populated districts. The 2010 census enumerated expatriate construction workers falling within the Cascade boundaries, hence inflating the population of this district. The least populated districts were Port Glaud, Les Mamelles, Takamaka and Bel Air (in that order), all with populations of less than 3,000 inhabitants.

Around 9% of residents in Seychelles are non-Seychellois. The predominant nationality among the non-Seychellois is Indian and it represents just over half of all non-nationals.

 Religion

The population census classified a total of 30 different religious groups with which people reported to be associated. An analysis of the religious affiliation data series for the four most recent censuses reveal two emerging patterns:

(1) The proportional representation of Christians continues to drop; and (2) The composition of Christian groups changes, with members of the two main  denominations (Roman Catholic and Anglican) shifting to other denominations.

In 1987 there were 97.1% Christians in which 88.6% were Roman Catholics and 7.0% Anglicans. Other Christians were 1.6% with others 2.9%. In 2010 there were 88.4% Christians with 80.0 Roman Catholics; Anglican 6.1%; other Christians 6.1% while others 2.9%. As seen here there has been a gradual drop in the number of Roman Catholic followers.

Disabled

When it comes to disability data in Seychelles, 73% of the disabled population are economically active. Of these, 75% are employees and 16% are self-employed.

 Households

In the 2010 census, 7 out of 10 households owned the dwelling house they occupy so 71% households own their own houses. This proportion represents an increase of 3 percentage points over the proportion in 2002. The proportion of dwellings constructed of stone or blocks has increased from 29% in 1971 to 85% in 2010. Almost half of households keep water tanks at home.

On the other hand, households occupying dwellings rented from the government represent a little over 10% in 2010 compared to 17% in 2002. There was an increase in households living in privately rented dwellings and those occupying dwellings for free.

Other statistics related to household amenities and services were that 93% of households get treated water from the mains supply and this has increased steadily over the  years. Only 4.5% of households harvest rainwater. Houses built in stones or blocks: 86%; electricity for lighting:  97.0%; LPG for cooking: 91.4%; flush toilets:  97.0% and pit latrines in households have almost phased out with only 1% reported to be still using them; fridge / freezer in household: 93.4%; washing machine:  69.4%; TV sets: 94.6%.

According to the latest National  Census 97.0% of household has electricity for lighting; 93.4% has either a fridge or a freezer; 94.6% has a TV set; 91.4% uses LPG for cooking and 97.0% has flush toilets

Food for thought from the latest National Census: there has been a gradual drop in the number of Roman Catholic followers