Guernsey Press

Over-85s fuel biggest population rise in decade

GUERNSEY’S population saw the biggest increase in almost a decade in the 12 months to the end of December 2019, particularly in the 85 and over age group.

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The population, employment and earnings bulletin was released yesterday [29 Oct] and noted that the population increased by 550 people (0.9%).

There was a natural decrease of 13 people and net migration of 563 people.

There was an increase of 0.9% in the number of people aged 16 to 64, a 1.7% increase in people aged 65 to 84, and a 4.2% increase in over-85s.

There are around twice the number of women over 85 as there are men.

The number of people aged zero to 15 decreased by 0.7%

The 12-month period to June saw the largest decrease in the number of people employed or self-employed since records began in 1995.

The annual percentage change in total population. Graphic provided in the Guernsey Quarterly Population, Employment and Earnings bulletin. (28852087)

As the number of people in the labour market is seasonal, and typically increases from March to a peak in August, it is likely that the travel restrictions and self-isolation requirements that were in place due to Covid-19 had a large impact on the decline in employment, the bulletin found.

In June 2020, 3,019 people were self-employed and 27,116 people worked for an employer.

This compares to 28,523 employed and 3,021 self-employed people in June 2019, making it the largest annual decrease in the number of employed people since quarterly figures began being recorded in 1995.

During the week ending 3 October 2020, 570 people, or 1.8% of the workforce were wholly unemployed, compared to a peak of 1,631 people, or 5.2%, at the end of May 2020.

There were 2,114 employing organisations in Guernsey in June 2020, 2.9% fewer than in June 2019 and the finance sector provided 5,987 employment roles – from zero hours to full-time contracts – in June 2020, making up nearly 20% of the total.

The hospitality sector showed the largest decrease in employment between June 2019 and June 2020 at 24.2%.

Median earnings as at 30 June 2020 were £34,479 which, compared with a year earlier, was 2.5% higher in nominal terms and 0.7% higher in real terms.

BOX

JERSEY’S long-awaited population policy could be presented by the government before the end of next year, if proposals lodged by a backbencher are passed.

Deputy Jess Perchard has lodged an amendment to the recently proposed Migration Control Policy, which is due for debate on 1 December, calling for the move as well as for such a policy to be updated on an annual basis thereafter.

The Migration Control Policy, which was lodged by the chief minister earlier this month, outlines Jersey’s new immigration rules for the post-Brexit environment, including nine-month and ‘skilled worker’ work permits.

It also sets out that ministers currently plan to publish full population proposals in 2022 following the next general election, which is due to be held that year.

Under the Migration Control Policy, a new board would be set up to advise the government on population policy, with a view to using the new controls.