Officials Urge Cooperation as Census Workers Face Growing Obstacles

Conducted under the theme “Mapping the Present, Shaping the Future,” the 2025 Population and Housing Census is a significant national endeavor that is currently being undertaken.

Census takers are currently out and about, attempting to gather essential data that is seen to be vital for planning, policy formulation, and national growth.

Speaking to state media this morning, Deputy Census Officer Tracelyn Joseph and Deborah Barnes, Assistant to the Deputy Census Officer spoke about the census taking process.

“In September 2025 we started our field-work activities, going into a number of enumeration districts,” said Deputy Joseph. “For census purposes, Antigua and Barbuda has 400 enumeration districts across geographical locations – namely the parishes – both in Antigua and Barbuda.”

Joseph mentioned that they adopted a phased approach in 2025, initially beginning with 200 enumeration districts. Due to attrition or “dropouts,” there are currently census officers in 160 enumeration districts.

Addressing Visibility and Challenges

Addressing questions of their lack of visibility at the moment, Joseph reminded residents that if the census workers aren’t seen, it’s because they are currently in one of those 160 districts.

“It’s a phase approach,” added Joseph. “Sometimes though, the enumerators do come to your house and they don’t find you. They leave a callback card but the resident does not return the call.”

Joseph also pointed out that, aside from this challenge, some residents hesitate to engage in the census process because they wrongly perceive it as a politically driven initiative. Additional obstacles arise from non-nationals who mistakenly associate census workers with immigration activities.

Assistant Deborah Barnes also highlighted some of the challenges that enumerators encounter.

“Persons are in their homes; you’re calling – they are not answering – sometimes you see the curtains draw…and then go back,” stated Barnes. “It frustrates persons when you’re going out there day after day and not getting any response.”

Nevertheless, she expressed gratitude to all the residents who showed full cooperation and extended thanks to the dedicated workers who remain committed, despite facing these challenges.

Ensuring Recognition of Census Workers

Barnes highlighted the significance of acknowledging the credentials of census workers, making it easier for the public to discern who is legitimate.

Official identifiers include:

Recruitment Drive

Deputy Joseph shared that they are currently conducting a recruitment drive to enlist individuals for the census. Applicants are encouraged to apply at statistics.gov.ag.

“We want to let the public know that we cannot do this alone,” said Joseph. “Partner with us and help us to execute this national exercise.”