Full census finally revealed
(CNS): The full National Census report of the Cayman Islands was finally laid on the table of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday some four months after the document was completed by the Economics and Statistics office making it an official public document. The document reveals information on Cayman’s demography, disability and illness, education, marital status, fertility, employment, household and housing characteristics. This report shows that the growth in population since the 1999 census is down to a growth not in foreign residents but due to an increase in the Caymanian population.
There 52% more Caymanians compared to the last census while foreigners increased by just over 40% on the number of ex-pats in 1999. There were 10,488 more Caymanians but only 5,604 more non-Caymanians. Despite the unemployment rate among Caymanians running at 9.8% the census found that the workforce is made up of a greater number of non-Caymanians as over 53% of the workforce are foreign nationals.
Among the employed Caymanians, 51.4 percent have earnings below the GDP per capita bracket ($38,400-$57,599) while 21.5 percent are within this bracket, and 23.6 percent are above this bracket. Among the employed non-Caymanians, 69.4 percent earn below the GDP per capita bracket, 11.8 percent are within this bracket while 15.9 percent earn higher than this bracket.
There are now 22,760 households on the islands an increase of 7853 from 1999 with 51% of them being in George Town but the rate of increase was highest in Bodden Town where households have grown over the last decade at a rate of more than 95%. The average household size has decreased slightly from 1999 to 2.4 from 2.6. Almost one in three homes are single people households which reflects the findings of the census that more than a third of the country’s population is not in a marriage or permanent relationship with 43.7% of women not in any kind of union.
46.3% of households are rented furnished accommodation only less and a similar number live in their own homes but around two thirds of those owners have a mortgage.
While around 18% of households are sharing facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms with other households, Cayman homes are very techy. The census found that more than 65.2% of households have internet connection and almost three quarters have a computer in the home. 80% of people have radios and nearly 95% of homes reported having a TV. Although fixed home telephone lines were down to only 39% 71 percent of homes reported having at least two cell phones.
Cayman remains a very religious nation with 90% of the population stating that they belong to some form of religious denomination. Of those only 7% did not belong to a Christian denomination. The largest single group of Christians 22.65 were members of the Church of God congregation. Seventh Day Adventists.
This census also included a snapshot of the nation’s health which revealed that over 89 people in every thousand have high blood pressure. The top two disabilities are sight and lower leg problems with incidence rates respectively of 14.6 and 9.6 per 1,000 persons. The census found that the incidence of illness among Caymanians is twice that of non-Caymanians.
Over 86.8 percent of people have health insurance with only 121 persons being deemed uninsurable. Government’s insurance company covers more than 11,500 people while over 35,000 people have private sector insurance coverage.
See the full 2010 Census at www.eso.ky.
Category: Local News
The census was taken in 2010 I believe(?). There are quite a number of persons who were in the $50,000 pa and above, bracket who have, within the past two years, been manditorily retired, had their position made redundant, or laid off because of cut backs, etc. who are now in a much, much lower income bracket or with no income at all.
The income portion of the census makes little sense. The references to GDP brackets in the income tables seems to be an error. GDP or "gross domestic product" results from capital and other inputs besides labor, so why would one use "GDP per capita brackets" to describe income. Moreover, the census does not otherwise refer to Cayman's GDP so it becomes apparent that the brackets are simply income ranges that have been misnamed. Maybe not a big deal but it tends to indicate that not much thought was put into this or it was doneby someone who didn't know what they were talking about.
One could also question the figures because the census only asked people how much they made in the week before 10/10/10, and this has apparently been extrapolated into a whole year. Why not ask how much people made a year if that's what you want to put in the report?
It is possible to make some conclusions about average income, although with difficulty. Using the low-end of the income ranges, the average working Caymanian made $35,100 and the average working foreigner made $26,459. (This excludes the 541 Caymanians and 532 foreigners who did not report.) The high end can also be figured, excluding the ones who did not report and the ones who are at an unknown level above $86,400. The high end average for working Caymanians is $45,127 and for foreigners is $35,251. If you assume that the 1912 Caymanians and 1844 foreigners who did not report or who made over $86,400 averaged $200,000 (who knows), then the high end average for working Caymanians is $64,289 and for working foreigners is $51,444. Since the range of "average" is huge, the usefulness of the numbers is less than it could be. It would have been more transparent and instructive to give figures for the bottom 25%, middle 50%, etc. but this does not seems to have occiurred and cannot be easily figured from the information given. It should also be noted that per capita income would be muchless, and household income would be higher, but I'll leave that for someone else.
Next, how come people were asked for hours worked, but it is not reported? (Or I can't find it.) I'll bet it's low.
Lastly, the hearing disability level in East End indicates that congenital deafness is still a problem.
Ah excellent, I needed to rearrange my prejudices. This document will be very helpful
Damn, waited all this time and it doesn't even list the number of goats, cows and wild chickens!
This census should cause all God-fearing Caymanian people to be afraid. Look at the number of foreignors and the number of unemployed Caymanians! Most are not even earning a decent living even if they do have some work! With all these unemployed Caymanians and these ex-pats coming and taking over our country how much longer is it going to be before Cayman is corrupted and crime-ridden? We need to turn back to God and remove Godlessness from our shores! Wake up Cayman!
It's already corrupted and crime-ridden.
how much longer is it going to be before Cayman is corrupted and crime-ridden
Hilarious comment what a superb sense of humour given the current state of advanced corruption and corresponding crime – Keep up the humour UDP Supporter – we can all use the laughs.
"How much longer is it going to be before Cayman is corrupted and crime-ridden"
It must be exhausting aerobic exercise to be constantly covering the butts of all your fellows while keeping your head up your own. Kudos.
I never knew it took trainning and skills to answer the phone for a company because I've called various companies where the person whom answers can barely speak english let alone understand it. Although, I can see my people becoming lazy when they've grown so dependent on others. When will we wake up?
Hardly a day goes by that I don't read something about Caymanians being illiterate, Caymanians are uneducated, Caymanians are lazy. It is time that that myth be cast aside. Of course we have some uneducated, lazy, and iliterate Caymanians but when you preface you comment with "Caymanians" instead of "some Caymanians you are conveniently ignoring the fact that many of our people are well educated, and very industrious. Tell me which country/ island you know of with all of it's population educated and literate and always has a job. I wish that someone would do research and publish the number of educated, qualified Caymanians and put this myth to rest for ever. Also please publish the number of "qualified educated Caymanians who was pushed out of their jobs to make way for "expats" who if the truth be told is no more educated and in some instance lesser educated that the Caymanian. I know because I have seen the lies and deceit practiced in the work place and even written to the Immigration Boards over the years. Please do not come back with the crap about having "international exposure" because 99.99% of the expats with "international exposure" got it right here on this Rock. I don't totally blame the expats for this; our Government and it's flawed immigration and labour department rules and laws are the main culprits. However , I do believe the priviledged expats among us should reflect on the fact that they are our guests and a little graciousness might help.
"….qualified educated Caymanians who was pushed out of their jobs to…."
How ironic….
Quote "The census found that the incidence of illness among Caymanians is twice that of non-Caymanians."
No shite. I figure half of the 'illness' is bs. Several Caymanians in our office have asked HR how many sick days they have remaining as they feel entitled to use them as holidays. Always seem to be sick on a Friday or a Monday too. Haha, what a farce.
Have you thought that this may include those in the population with Cayman Atraxia?
your thery may not be so correct after all.
Sure you have that spelled correctly? Do you mean "ataxia?" I don't think there is such a word as atraxia.
This information is not nearly as important as the breakdown of population by district.
Nort Side and East End should be combined into 1 district the small populations there do not deserve 2 seats.
1400 people for a MLA seat in North Side and East End then George Town should have 15 seats alone.
Median and not average income should be the correct indicator of avg. caymanian's standard of living. Median income would show what 'most' people make.
Two thirds of Caymanians make below $40,000 a year. That is the truth and as we all know that is not enough. The sad story is that Caymanians have got left behind in the workforce because of lack of policy enforcement by government and immigration. I have not heard any politician address the great divide.
A very religious country where if you become unemployed due to health reasons, you will lose your income, then your house and then you are on the street.
That’s the problem, immigration should check ALL businesses before any permit is issued. I dont see why I should suffer trying to employ a “Caymanian” when the skills I need are not available locally. Will I train someone? Yes but I am not a piggy bank to teach someone a skill so they can quit and open shop next door.
As a “Ligitimate” business owner I should be allowed to employ who is best for my company and not because they are “Caymanian” After all, why would anyone want to pay for and go through the hassle of work permits? It just doesn’t make sense.
There is no such thing as unemployment, all you have to do is be a multitasker and get off your buttt!
Before you comment, I have 98% Caymanian workforce that want to work.
Our much touted average income (as measured by GDP per capita) of $44,184 does not reveal the fact that 61.3% of the labour force earn less than that while 19.4% are in the brackets above $58,000. Our per capita income is distorted by the extremely high incomes of the top 2% of the population who are 95% expat. This is disguised by the report.
Our system of indirect taxes means that Caymanians are bearing a disproportionate share of the tax burden.
Average income does not mean the same thing as GDP per capita. The rest of your comment is therefore meaningless.
No, it's not meaningless at all. The percentages are all based on reported income brackets on the census.
Considering that expats don't get much for their contributions(not that the average Caymanians do either) you are makeing this point for what reason? Since you are so good at figureing out % could you tell the world what % of Government income is spent on government and what is spent on the people and how that compares to a developed country?
You get the infrastructure that you use every day. You get plenty for what you pay.
I agree about Caymanians bearing a greater portion of the tax burden (well duty tax anyway). For me (an expat) I have been here six years, and the largest purchase I have made from a retailer is a $300 TV from Cost-U-Less. With the prospect of being rolled over I needed to keep my footprint as small as possible to avoid loss of money and the hassle upon departure. Most of my friends are the same, keep the purchases minimal, and when you do buy it is usually from the seondary market….the loss to local retailers whilst hard to quantify must be massive.
yep…100% spot on thanks to the caymankind rollover
Cayman does not have a monopoly on Rollover. The U.S. for example also has Rollover.
The other thing is that most expats buy from other expats because they are the ones selling their stuff due to willful departure, rollover, whatever. So it is like an inner expat circle market.
Frankly, GDP per capita does not mean average income per capita, and it is hard to understand why it is being presented this way. I would lay down good money that income per capita is nowhere near the GDP per capita.
You're right, but I was quoting from the Report. The picture is even worse if you have the actual average income.
Our system of indirect taxes means that Caymanians are bearing a disproportionate share of the tax burden.
I could not agree more, would you also accept that the expats have no rights in your country and no expectation of government heath, school or representation, so why should they pay a higher portion of indirect tax. In my opinion, we are paid higher incomes than overseas to compensate us for the fact that we have no rights and no expectation of them which is fine by me. If you want me to pay for more things, then make me a member of your society and grant me the rights of free employment etc, 'No taxation without representation'
1. Where you live and work in a country you are taxed regardless of citizenship or any otherpolitical or free employment rights. That is true in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and many other countries around the world. If I move to work in the U.S. I will be required to pay U.S. taxes but I will still need a work visa and I will not be allowed to vote.
2. Once the Bill of Rights comes into effect in November expats under section 20 expat school children will have a right to free education. Even currently the govt. does pay to send expats overseas for emergency medical care where they are not fully covered by insurance. This is not sustainable on our current revenue base.
3. Much government expenditure is needed because of the expat population. We would not have needed all the new roads for example for the Caymanian population of 30,000.
1. Good point
2. Isn't the public school fees FREE for all right now ! FREE medical care for public servants and there family isn't good either.Locals get overseas care with NO insurance
3. Think CIG has expenditure now run the expats off the islands.
With all these new roads you speak of i guess your the only one that isn't in the backed up traffic in the Am and Pm ?
When public schools are out on holidays isn't it a stress free drive into the Capital in the morning and out of town in the afternoon ? Don't blame the expat blame or Govt with no common sense to change the hours when Govt schools start
1. Thank you.
2. Medical care for public servants is not "free". It is a part of their remuneration package of civil servants. Public servants (which includes the staff at statutory authorities) directly contribute to their health insurance in the same way as the staff in the private sector.
3. I have not suggested running anyone off the Islands.
If you think we have traffic now then you either have not lived here very long or have a very short memory. In 2007-2008 if you lived in WB it would take 1hr+ to drive to work in GT. It now takes 15-20 mins. If you lived in BT it would also take 1hr 20 mins. It now takes 30-35 mins at peak traffic.
Part of the idea of a high school in Frank Sound was to alleivate some of that traffic.
We will be tax very soon. The number of people that are coming to Cayman will make this happen soon. Expats have more freedom here than in there home courty that is why they are here.Not a hater just real thats all.
Free as in free of responsibility for the current voted in leadership? Free to not know where their tax(duty, permit fees, etc.) disappeared too? Your right! Thanks for that.
More freedom? What in the world do you mean? Could you please provide some examples how someone from another country is more free here than in their own country?
The more concerning statistic is the health of non-Caymanians. It would seem that that is something that the health authorities need to take a look at. When the majority of your local population suffers from some form of debilitating illness, then it matters not that they are unemployed as they would seem to be unemployable.
Ever been to the HSA lately? There are plenty "Caymannians" there seeing Doctors. Dem just happen to be Caymanians born back a yard.
I would like to see how many popl are receiving Goverment assistance
And how many of them are cabinet status recipients.
Pretty naive to report the growth as amongst Caymanians and not foreign residents. It suggests every Caymanian alive in the 90’s had a child of their own in the last decade.
I know several who had 3 and 4 in the past 10 years and they're barely 30 years old now….
Yes. But when and how did they become Caymanian?
And those are the ones that no matter what you do won’t show up for interviews, training or work!
Ahh but "Caymanian" includes recipients of status grants. That was the real growth segment.
Unemployment among caymanians is higher than 9.8 % at present. This report is 2 years old ; I susupect the current figures are worse.
Employers should have to indicate which caymanian did they interview and why the candidate was rejected.
90% of unemployed caymanians are unemployed through their own chice!
Where did you find that stat?
educated guess…..
What the heck do you need actual stats for? I have expressed my deep seated prejudice and that is proof enough.
If they follow the rules employers have to do exactly that.
9.8% unemployment and 53% foreign workforce sums it up! Immigration asleep at wheel ; we need enforcement of laws. Employers should stoprigging employment adverts with pre – determined canditates in mind. Ezzard wake up…
maybe the 9.8% are not employable, or do not want to work? Maybe they are illiterate or lack skills? In any case- entertain the idea that if the 53% foreign workforce left… you would be stuck with a much bigger problem? I seriously doubt the 9.8% are in line for the 53% of foreign work. Just a guess!
get real! ….in every country you have people who don't/won't work no matter how many jobs are available….. cayman just has more for various reasons….
while i disagree with the original poster, "unemployment" means not employed, but looking. although some people answering the questions probably don't know this/didn't answer in this way.
Not a fair statement. Many expats are trained or certified higher than many Caymanians and thus justifies their being hired in specialist fields. Also to be remembered is that many (mostly young) Caymanians do not want to work in certain positions, particularly construction, janitorial, and low-level customer service jobs (bars, restaurants). Don’t make cross sectional statements like that. All you end up doing is flaring up an already divided population.
I agree with your observations but this does not change the fact that job adverts are typically rigged for a particular expat who is often already employed on temporary work permit.
If we really had a look at the expats employed here, I suspect that the majority of the 53% are in unskiled positions, as indicated by the fact that " 69.4 percent earn below the GDP per capita bracket". These are not the type of jobs where employers "rig" their advertisements. These are positions in bars, farm work, masonry, carpentry and the tourist industry, and similar positions that many Caymanians seemingly do not apply for and/or have no interest in.
As an expat, I’m a teacher and I make $27,500 a year. So before you Caymanians get your panties in a twist because we are taking all the ‘good jobs with all of the money’… Think again!
It does sum it up very nicely with facts. Trained and experiancedis prefered over unemployable by most Caymanian employers. I'm sure you will find this is true in most countries. Not hard to tell the unemployables belive this to be unfair which is true every where. If they enforced all the laws in Cayman……………..well things would be much different.