Director General of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Sonia Jackson is encouraging Jamaicans to participate in the 2011 Population and Housing Census.

She says the information persons provide for the census will have a direct impact on their quality of life and the socio-economic services that they can access. 

Ms. Jackson says the census is extremely important for planning.

She points out that the information is used to determine the location, number and types of schools, the demand for housing, water supply and other social amenities that are required.

Meanwhile, on the issue of confidentiality, Ms. Jackson is assuring the public that the personal information that they provide will be kept in strict confidence.

The 2011 Population and Housing Census, is be held under the theme: “Every one counts – you, me, all a wi”.

It will begin on April 4, 2011 and last until July 2011.

However, the planning process and a public education campaign to correct misperceptions and to sensitize the public, are currently underway.

The last Population and Housing Census was conducted in 2001.

At that time, the population count was just over 2.6 m people.