The data collection for the 2022 Population and Housing Census which was scheduled to end this month will be extended to the first quarter of next year.

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica, STATIN says this is to ensure maximum coverage of the Jamaican population.

It says data collection commenced in September this year on a phased basis and since then census takers have been deployed islandwide, however, there are more persons to be counted.

The population and housing census which is conducted every ten years is one of the most important sources of data in the country.

It provides estimates about the size of the population as well as important demographic and socio-economic indicators for policy planning and decision making by the government and other key stakeholders.