Historical Context of Census in Barbados
The first modern Census of the population of Barbados was conducted on June 3rd, 1844. Before 1844 there were some estimates of individual enumeration followed by a period where there was no count of the population (excluding the population slaves) for many years. Therefore the 1844 Census represented a count of all citizens, whether they were freed slaves or not.
Another milestone was achieved at the time of the 1946 Census, as this was the first time that the Census was organised with close collaboration with other British Colonies in the Caribbean.
These facts highlight that Barbados has had a long history of Census taking and from 1946 it has always been on the premise of a Population and Housing Census, not just on the Population of Barbados alone. Although, having the practice of conducting Censuses in the early years, they were not conducted on a regular predictable manner, necessary for comparable information produced in a fixed sequence.
From 1960 onward Barbados has been conducting regular Censuses every ten (10) years as recommended by the United Nations Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses. Of course there have been tremendous strides in the methodology of how we have managed the Census process over time. From 1946-1980 the questionnaire development, manuals, other training materials and processing were handled collaboratively at the regional level with assistance from agencies, such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and CARICOM.
The 1990 round of Census proved to be monumental because it represented the first time that the Census was managed and produced locally in all of its various aspects and this continues to be the case.
The Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) has the mandate by law, for conducting a decennial Population & Housing Census for Barbados. Traditionally, Census Day in Barbados is held on the year ending on “0” and on May 1 to coincide with the Labour Day holiday. This reference point is deemed to be easy to remember when respondents are asked to recall where they were living and what they were doing on Census Day. The last such census was held on May 1, 2010.
Total Population at Each Census

- 1844
Pop = 122,198
Pop = 122,198
March 6, 1844 - 1854
Pop = 135,939
Pop = 135,939
March 2, 1854 - 1861
Pop = 152,275
Pop = 152,275
March 1, 1861 - 1871
Pop = 161,594
Pop = 161,594
April 2, 1871 - 1881
Pop = 171,452
Pop = 171,452
April 3, 1881 - 1891
Pop = 182,306
Pop = 182,306
April 5, 1891 - 1911
Pop = 171,983
Pop = 171,983
April 2, 1911 - 1921
Pop = 156,312
Pop = 156,312
April 24, 1921 - 1946
Pop = 192,580
Pop = 192,580
April 9, 1946 - 1960
Pop = 232,820
Pop = 232,820
April 7, 1960 - 1970
Pop = 238,100
Pop = 238,100
April 7, 1970 - 1980
Pop = 244,228
Pop = 244,228
May 1, 1980 - 1990
Pop = 260,491
Pop = 260,491
May 1, 1990 - 2000
Pop = 268,792
Pop = 268,792
May 1, 2000 - 2010
Pop = 277,821
Pop = 277,821
May 1, 2010 - 2021
To Be Counted
To Be Counted
August 1, 2021