HISTORY OF STATIN

1946

Statistics Act passed. Introduction of Central Bureau of Statistics. The initial programme included the Population Census, External Trade and Retail Price Indices.

1955

The Statistics Act was amended and the name changed to Department of Statistics. The title of the Head of Department was changed to Director of Statistics.

1956

National Accounts programme introduced.

1960

Conducted the 9 Population and Housing Census since 1844. The first Census of Population and Housing as part of the Caribbean Programme.

1961

Main office relocated to 23½ Charles Street,Kingston

1966-1967

Internal Statistics training course introduced Major Business Survey conducted.

1967-1968

Introduction of Continuous Household Survey Programme Field offices set up in Black River, May Pen, Montego Bay and Port Maria in addition to the Kingston office. Start of computerization of some of the processes using government’s Central Data Processing Unit.

Agriculture Census conducted.

Six weeks training programme for field officers.

1970

10th Population and Housing Census (2nd Caribbean Census)

The office’s printery was located at 84 Hanover Street – The first Statistical Yearbook was published.

1974

Head office relocated to 9 Swallowfield Road,Kingston 5

1975

Statistical Library fully established as a specialized library.Field offices set up in Linstead, Mandeville, Port Antonio, Savanna-la-mar and St. Ann’s Bay.

Participated in the World Fertility Survey with the conduct of Jamaica Fertility Survey.

1978-1979

Census of Agriculture.

1982

The 11th Population and Housing Census (3rd Caribbean Census)

1984

Head office relocated to 2-4 Constant Spring Road Kingston 10.Revision of Statistics Act creating Statistical Institute of Jamaica.

1987

Modular Summer Certificate Course in Economic and Social Statistics Course established at C.A.S.T. (now University of Technology)

Statin hosted the 9th Conference of Commonwealth Caribbean Government Statisticians First Long Service Awards Ceremony

1988

Start of Living Standards Survey. Degree programme in Economic and Social Statistics established at U.W.I. and scholarship programme put in place.

Head office relocated to 25 Dominica Drive.

1991

Poplulation and Housing Census (4th Caribbean Census)

1992

Head office relocated to 97b Church Street,Kingston

1996

Census of Agriculture. Staff complement was 499 excluding temporary staff on the Census of Agriculture.The 50th Anniversary Year.

2000

Environment Statistics programme started. Statin hosted the United Nations Social and Gender Statistics Workshop.

2001

Population and Housing Census (5th Census)

2002

Launching of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Quarterly.

2003

Consolidation of Head Office, 97b Church Street nd 9 Swallowfield to 7 Cecelio Ave.Kingston 10.

2004

The Household Expenditure Survey was launched.

THE HISTORY OF THE STATISTICAL INSTITUTE OF JAMAICA