Sources and Methods: Labour Statistics
Volume 5: Population Censuses

Cayman Islands

1.Name and address of the organization responsible for the census:

Statistics Office, Cayman Islands Government, Government Administration Building, George Town, Grand Cayman, B.W.I.

2.Population censuses conducted since 1945 (years):

1960, 1970, 1979 and 1989. The present description relates to the 1989 population census (held on 15 October).

3.Coverage of the census:

(a) Geographical scope

Whole country.

(b) Persons covered

All persons of all ages.

4.Reference period:

The week preceding the census day.

5.Main topics:

(a) Total population, by sex and age: yes

Economically active population by:

(b) Sex and age group: yes

(c) Industry: yes

(d) Occupation: yes

(e) Status in employment: yes

(f) Highest educational level: yes

(g) Hours of work: yes

(h) Other characteristics: yes

Re (a): The age is defined in terms of age at last birthday.

Re (g): Employed persons were asked to specify the number of hours usually worked each week in their main job.

Re (h): The census also collected information on weekly income from the main job and on means of transport used to travel to workplace.

6.Concepts and definitions:

(a) Economically active population

It comprises all persons aged 15 years and over who, during the reference week, were either employed or unemployed, according to the definitions given below. The definition also includes all members of the armed forces.

(b) Employment

Considered as employed are all persons who, during the reference week, worked at least one hour. The specific question used to determine whether or not a person was to be counted as employed was Did the person have a job at any time during the last week?.

It is reported that the following categories are included:

  1. persons doing unpaid work in family firm or business;
  2. employed persons, temporarily absent from work;
  3. working students with a part time job;
  4. seasonal or occasional workers;
  5. multiple job holders;
  6. apprentices and trainees.
Only persons belonging to the categories (i), (iii) and (v) can be identified separately.

(c) Unemployment

Considered as unemployed are all persons who, during the reference week, were without work, seeking and available for work.

7.Classifications used:

Both employed persons and unemployed persons previously employed are classified by industry, by occupation and by status in employment.

(a) Industry

Based on the question: Please state the person's main employer (or last full time employer) and describe clearly what the employer makes or does, e.g. finance, hotels, retail, construction, etc. For coding industry, 65 groups of the national classification were used. Links to the ISIC-rev.3 have been established to the division (2-digit) level.

(b) Occupation

Based on the question: What is the person's occupation (That is the job they usually spend the most time on - or last full time job)? e.g. lawyers, bankers, civil servants, electricians, plumbers, etc. For coding occupation, 94 groups of the national classification were used. Links to the ISCO-88 have been established to the minor group (3-digit) level.

(c) Status in employment

For coding this variable, four groups were used: self employed not employing others; self employed employing others; employed in a full time or part time job; unpaid work in a family business.

8.Main differences compared with the previous census:

No major difference.

9.Publication of the census results:

The final census data were issued in September 1990 in a publication entitled Cayman Islands 1989 Census - Commentary and tabulations of results, volume I.

The organization responsible for the publication is the Economics and Statistics Office, Government Administration Building, George Town, Grand Cayman, B.W.I.

The census results are also available in the form of unpublished tables.