Methodology for Demographic and Social Statistics Press Releases

POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHY

Data Sources, Methodology and Definitions

Data Sources and Methodology

Current estimates of the population are based on the 2001 population census and annual estimates of births and deaths obtained from the Registrar General’s Department (RGD). Estimates migration are calculated based on statistics produced by the major receiving countries, supplemented by data extracted from the Embarkation/Disembarkation cards made available by the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA).

The births and deaths represent events occurring in the year and registered up to 12 months after, adjusted by STATIN for under coverage. Details of the adjustment process are presented in the annual Demographic Statistics reports.

All data are considered provisional and subject to change as revised births, deaths and migration statistics become available.

DEFINITIONS

End of Year Population
Population at December 31

Mid-Year Population
Also referred to as the mean population, is regarded as the population at July 1 and is assumed to be the point at which half of the changes in the population during the year have occurred. This is the population estimate that is generally used as the base for the calculation of rates. Birth Rate (or crude birth rate) The number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Calculated by dividing the number of live births occurring in the year by the total mean (or midyear population) for that year

Death Rate (crude death rate)
The number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Calculated by dividing the number of deaths occurring in the year by the total mean (or midyear population) for that year

Migration
The number of persons departing the country to take up permanent residence in another country

Migration Rate
The number of persons departing the country to take up permanent residence in another country per 1000 mean (or mid-year population) for that year

Parish
This is an established legal geographic division. There are fourteen parishes in Jamaica

Marriage
The act, ceremony or process by which the legal relationship of husband and wife is constituted. The legality of the union may be established by civil, religious or other means as recognized by the laws of the country.

Marriage Rate
The marriage rate (also called the crude marriage rate) is the number of marriages per 1,000 mean (or mid-year) population in a given year. This rate is calculated using the number of marriages – not the number of people getting married – and includes both first marriages and remarriages.

Divorce Absolute
The final legal dissolution of marriage, that is, that separation of husband and wife which confers on the parties the right to remarriage under civil, religious and/or other provisions, according to the laws of the country.

Divorce Rate
The divorce rate (or crude divorce rate) indicates the number of divorces per 1,000 population in a given year. This rate is calculated using the number of divorces – not the number of people being divorced.

Population Pyramid
A bar chart, arranged vertically, that shows the distribution of a population by age and sex. By convention, the younger ages are at the bottom, with males on the left and females on the right.