The Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) has reported that as of the conclusion of the 2024 census, 84% of households in the country have been enumerated, amounting to 2,261,724 individuals. This was revealed by Statistician General Nyakasi Sanyang during a press conference, where he detailed that out of 366,677 structures identified during the 2023 mapping exercise, 320,260 have been listed, corresponding to 87.3% of the total structures.
SG Sanyang highlighted significant progress in household enumeration across all regions, with rates above 80%. Specifically, the regions of Kuntaur, Mansakonko, and Basse reported nearly 90% of houses enumerated. In Kerewan and Janjanbureh, 84% of the population has been counted, while Banjul, Kanifing, and Brikama have seen 83% of their populations enumerated.
The census is expected to be completed in most regions by Friday, with field workers striving to ensure that all remaining buildings and structures are accounted for. Enumerators who have completed their areas are being redeployed to other regions to facilitate timely completion. Any areas that remain unfinished will resume enumeration two days after the Eid break.
However, the GBoS has faced challenges, particularly in securing compliance from some non-Gambian communities. The bureau is employing all possible diplomatic channels to address this issue, but has stated that if these efforts fail, they will resort to using the legal powers available to them. SG Sanyang called on all residents to comply with the census, emphasizing that it is mandatory and crucial for providing accurate data.
