The Statistical Institute of Belize provided an update on the ongoing Census exercise. It should have started two years ago but was delayed by COVID.

On Wednesday, the SIB told the press that data collection has been completed in several parts of the country:

Tanisha Chavarria - Acting Manager, Census & Surveys Dept.
"The overall update on the Census is that data collection is still ongoing in some regions of the country, particularly in the Belize District, San Pedro, Stann Creek, and in the City of Belmopan. The other regions have already wrapped up data collection, though data collection did get extended in these areas as well. This is mainly due to the challenges that the SIB has been experiencing with staffing. That is, having enough staff to complete the data collection in the anticipated 10-weeks-time, and also due to dropouts that we have been experiencing. Nevertheless, we have completed data collection in Corozal, Orange Walk, San Ignacio, and surrounding areas, as well as Toledo."

"Generally, there has been a very good reception. Of the households that we have identified in all the buildings, our response rates look at around 93% of households answering. The main challenge we have is finding people at home. So, the interviewers usually work in small geographical areas called the numeration districts, and then they move to another area. While they are out in the field, people might not be at home. They may be working, or they're traveling. And so, to tackle that, the interviewers try to go after 5 or 6 in the afternoon, especially on the weekends or public and bank holidays. That has helped with the response rates, but we're still not finding many persons at home."

The SIB is also encouraging families who have not received a visit from data collectors to get in touch with their office. They say they are willing to organize interview sessions for households who have not been surveyed as yet.

Channel 7