Census results to be delayed due to lack of staff

The census has so far recorded 221,155 inhabitants and 118,967 residences, according to preliminary results, but its completion is expected to be delayed due to lack of staff, the statistical service said.

The count started on October 1 and initially it was expected to be finished by the end of the year. However, there was not much interest from people to work as census takers, with only 500 people applying for the job, which the service initially planned would need 1,000.

This forced the authorities to push back the timeframe to the first quarter of 2022.

So far, census takers have recorded 118,967 residences across the Republic, with most in Nicosia, 39,958.

Limassol was in second place with 30,361, followed by Larnaca, 22,147, Paphos, 19,048, and Famagusta, 7,453.

Of those, 75.3 per cent were inhabited, 11.3 per cent were vacant, 13 per cent were used as holiday homes or rental properties for tourists, and 0.4 per cent had other uses.

The census has so far registered 221,155 people, the majority, or 80,951, declaring the district of Nicosia as their place of residence.

Again, Limassol ranked second with 57,854, followed by Larnaca, 41,865, Paphos, 26,811, and Famagusta, 13,674.

The majority of those counted were women, 51.5 per cent, and people over 60, 26 per cent.

It was followed by the 30 to 44 age group with 21.6 per cent, and those between 45 and 59, 18.9 per cent.

The 15 to 29 age group was a close fourth, 18.5 per cent, and 0 to 15 last with 15 per cent.

The data is collected by trained census takers through personal or phone interviews, or by people filling a printed questionnaire.

The statistical service people have been generally positive towards the census. Those with reservations to provide information were convinced by the census takers and statistical service staff who explained to them the scope of the endeavour and allayed concerns regarding the use of personal data.

The service urged the public to cooperate with the census takers by providing all the information necessary, noting that participation is mandatory.