The National Bureau of Statistics is facing renewed criticism after announcing that Guyana’s estimated population has surpassed one million people, even though the agency has yet to release the complete results of the 2022 National Population and Housing Census. According to figures highlighted by the Bureau, Guyana’s population reached an estimated 1,025,334 at the end of 2025, up from 956,044 one year earlier. The Bureau also reported that 61 percent of the population is under the age of 35 and described the country’s youthful demographic as an opportunity for economic growth and workforce expansion.
However, the announcement has triggered skepticism among some members of the public, researchers and commentators, who argue that the Bureau has yet to establish the credibility necessary for such significant demographic updates. Critics point out that nearly four years after the 2022 census was conducted, the Bureau has still not released the complete official census report, including detailed demographic and ethnic data that many observers have been awaiting. One local member of the private sector who depends on accurate and timely data to plan for his several businesses stated that,”this delay appears to be political interference and I am deeply skeptical about any numbers released by this body. I will await updated reports from the world bank, UNESCO or IDB.
Another commentator said, “If the Bureau cannot release the official census in a timely manner, and cannot explain the full results to the public, why should citizens accept this convenient population update without question? The Bureau must release the complete census report or continue to lose credibility.”
Several researchers contacted by this publication, who requested anonymity because of concerns about professional repercussions, said the reported increase raises important questions that deserve public explanation.
One researcher from a local university noted that Guyana’s population has remained relatively stagnant for decades, with migration playing a dominant role in shaping the country’s demographics. The researcher said it has long been accepted that more Guyanese live outside Guyana than within its borders, largely because of decades of outward and chain migration supported by established family networks abroad.
“Despite our oil discoveries, birth rates, death rates and migration patterns have generally been stable for years,” the researcher said. “If the population is increasing at this pace, the Bureau should explain precisely what is driving the growth. Is it natural population growth, returning Guyanese, foreign migration, or some combination of these factors? The public deserves a transparent explanation.”
The researcher further argued that if a substantial portion of the reported increase reflects inward migration rather than growth among Guyanese citizens, the finding would have significant implications for not only housing, employment, healthcare, education and long-term economic planning but also on local and regional politics and election results credibility, especially if these immigrants are initially used as pawns by one or another political party. “What should be noted”, the researcher stated, “is that 250,000 new immigrants voting together can win any election in Guyana. I hope our local politicians are neither blind or stupid?”
Another researcher expressed broader concerns about confidence in official statistics, arguing that public trust has already been weakened by previous controversies surrounding government data.
“The government has already faced criticism over election-related figures and I reference the incredulous recent 6 seat ‘victory’ after decades of 1 or 2 seat victories by one or another political party. Additionally our education statistics are suspect and the bureau won’t release the complete census”, continued the same local researcher. “Whether those criticisms are justified or not, confidence has clearly eroded. That makes transparency even more important. The Bureau should publish the complete census and the methodology supporting these new estimates.”
The researcher also questioned statements highlighting improvements in youth unemployment.
Chief Statistician Errol La Cruez, in a World Population Day message, stated that youth unemployment declined from 31.9 percent in the third quarter of 2021 to 12.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, describing the figures as evidence of encouraging progress and emphasizing the importance of reliable data in policymaking.
Some critics remain unconvinced. They argue that official labour market statistics, like other government data, should be accompanied by detailed methodologies and underlying datasets to allow independent verification.
One anonymous researcher suggested that the timing of the population estimate may also be significant.
“The government is aggressively promoting Guyana as an expanding investment destination while advancing major lending initiatives, including the proposed Development Bank. Demonstrating a rapidly growing consumer market supports that narrative. That is precisely why transparency is essential. Extraordinary demographic claims require extraordinary evidence.”
The National Bureau of Statistics has not publicly explained how the latest population estimate relates to the still-unreleased 2022 census findings. Until the complete census results are published, including the underlying methodology and demographic breakdowns, questions about the credibility of the country’s official statistics are likely to persist.
