Alderney population up by 72 in 2020
ALDERNEY’S population rose by 72 in 2020 and births exceeded deaths for the first time since 2008.
The information is from the latest electronic census report, which showed the population rose by 3.5% to 2,102 people in the year ending 31 March 2021.
The report also shows how the population is ageing.
The number of people aged under 15 on the island – 193 – has decreased by 47 since March 2011.
Increases can be seen in the number of people aged 65 to 84 and 85 or over when comparing March 2021 and March 2011 – 174 and 46 respectively.
Nearly half the population is under 15 or over 65. This compares with 38.7% in 2011.
Over the 12 months, there were 17 births and 16 deaths.
‘The census provides invaluable data on the key trends in population, housing and employment,’ said Alderney’s Policy & Finance deputy chairman Ian Carter.
‘It enables us to form policy and in many respects confirms the initial direction we are taking with our Island Plan to ensure Alderney’s future prosperity.’
This was the eighth Alderney annual electronic census report, which provides a detailed snapshot of the demographics and housing situation of the population.
It also contains basic demographic trends and information on immigration, emigration, births and deaths over the past five years.
Despite the travel restrictions in place during 2020 and early 2021, the total number of people moving to Alderney during the year ending 31 March 2021 was higher than in 2019 and 2020, while the total number of people leaving the island fell when compared with previous years.
Total net migration was 72 during the year.
Added together, figures over the five years to March 2021 reveal a net inward migration of 170.
The census also shows that just less than three-quarters of people of working age were in full-time education, employed or self-employed.
A third of the people who moved to Alderney during the year had previously been living in Guernsey.
The majority, 60%, of immigrants were new to the island, lower than the year ending March 2020.
Just more than half of the population lives in owner-occupied accommodation, while 31.5% were in private rentals.
While some 15% of the island’s rented housing units were owned by people whose primary dwelling was not in Alderney.
There were approximately 1,012 households in Alderney on 31 March 2021, 2% more than the previous year.
The average number of people per household has remained at two since 2016.
