QUARTERLY STATISTICAL NEWS BULLETIN

JANUARY 2016

The Quarterly Statistical News Bulletin for January 2016, covers the period September to December 2015, and contains updates for the annual rate of inflation of the Retail Price Index, high level economic updates, estimated population, arrivals and departures and an update on the 2016 Census. The bulletin is available on the SHG website at:  www.sainthelena.gov.sh/statistics

Annual inflation of the St Helena Retail Price Index (RPI) stood at 0.7 per cent in Quarter 4 2015 – a decrease of 1.1 per cent from the previous quarter. This is primarily as a result of general price decreases, or small increases, on goods imported from the UK and an extremely favourable exchange rate between the St Helena Pound and the South African Rand.  The major upwards pressures come from increases in the cost of Fuel, Miscellaneous Goods and some Food Items.

In the last calendar quarter of 2015, the number of people on St Helena averaged 4,702 and the average St Helenian population was 4,115. This is a 0.8 percent increase in the total population and a 1.3 per cent decrease in the on-Island St Helena population – as a result of a smaller number of St Helenians returning to the Island during the Christmas period than was seen in 2014.  Migration continues to be the largest driver of population growth on St Helena. In 2015 there were 40 births and 55 deaths on St Helena, figures which exclude off-Island births and deaths of St Helenians. 

In the financial year 2015/16 to date, a 12 per cent increase in passenger arrivals to St Helena is noted, primarily due to an increase in short term visitors – tourists and those visiting the Island for business purposes.

The Island is gearing up for the 2016 Population & Housing Census, to be conducted as of Sunday 7 February 2016. Census materials have been approved by Executive Council and enumerators have been appointed to assist in completion of Census operations.  Fieldwork will commence on Saturday 30 January and conclude by Sunday 14 February. 

Regular updates on Census operations will be publicised in the local media.

This Statistical News Bulletin, along with other statistical reports, is available on the SHG website at: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/statistics

If you have requested a copy of this Bulletin via email and have not yet received it, please contact the Statistics Office on 22138, or e-mail statistics@sainthelena.gov.sh

Note on 2016 Census:

Operations for the 2016 Census will commence on Saturday 30 January 2016.

On this day, Census Enumerators will begin delivering forms to all households on St Helena.  Whilst Enumerators are conducting this fieldwork we ask that if you have animals please keep them under control as individuals will be calling at your house.

We would like to thank the community of St Helena in advance for their co-operation during this time.

SHG

26 January 2015