Prow: Be careful about drawing conclusions on population rise
CARE should be taken in drawing conclusions from the fact that Guernsey’s population increased by 621 people last year, said the president of the Home Affairs committee.
Rob Prow urged caution in the wake of the publication of the latest Population, Employment and Earnings bulletin, which said that as of the end of September 2022, the island had a population of 64,234, an increase of more than 600 people from September 2021.
The States agreed last year that an assumption of an annual net migration of 300-plus people was needed over 30 years to sustain the island’s workforce at 2020 levels, and it should plan on this basis.
‘This was never a target and was based upon many factors, some of which are outside of the control of government,’ said Deputy Prow.
Net migration last year was 766 and he said that this showed that Guernsey was still an attractive place where people wanted to come and live and work, and that it was possible to fill posts where there were proven skill and staff shortages.
‘But it is a single year only and we should be careful about drawing conclusions given our population and immigration policy focuses on an average level of migration over decades.’
The report also showed an increase in Guernsey’s working-age population, taking it up to 31,454.
‘What remains important is that we take a holistic view about maintaining the size of our workforce and meeting the needs of our economy, and how that is supported through the availability and affordability of housing and fit-for-purpose public infrastructure,’ Deputy Prow added.
