Montserrat’s population is in decline

Montserrat after the Soufrière Hills volcano eruption

Montserrat’s population is declining as preliminary data from the 2023 Population and Housing Census shows there are 10.9 per cent less people on the island than 13 years ago.

Data released by the Statistics Department of Montserrat showed the island had 4,386 ordinary residents in 2024 compared to 4,922 in 2011.

The population is fairly balanced with men comprising of 49.9 per cent of residents and women are 50.1 per cent.

Soufrière Hills volcano eruption

There are currently 2,256 private homes in Montserrat with an average of 1.9 residents.

Data showed 33.1 per cent of residents lived in the Central Region and 47.4 per cent called the Northern Region home.

The island, which measures 102 square kilometres, once had a population of over 13,000 residents. However, most islanders left following the Soufrière Hills volcano eruption in 1995 that left most of Montserrat uninhabitable.

Data for the census was collected between September 12, 2023 and January 30, 2024.

The census was due to wrap on November 30, 2023 but the Statistics Department said they encountered challenges such as people refusing to participate and difficulties reaching specific households.

Montserrat has been collecting population data since 1678 and has done so every 10 years since 1871, except for 1931 and 2021.