13 Mar 2009

New Caledonia's census to go ahead this year

5:47 pm on 13 March 2009

New Caledonia's first "ethnic" census will finally happen this year, in July, after years of controversy.

The local government President, Harold Martin, says the counting exercise would mobilise some seven hundred enumerators and ten supervisors from the local statistical institute.

Mr Marton said the census should no longer pose any particular problem as New Caledonians will be asked, just like had been done in the past, what ethnic group they think they belong to.

New Caledonia's population is currently estimated to total around 245,000, according to latest available statistics.

The most salient question in the proposed questionnaire to be put to the population is item number 6, which reads "Which if the following communities do you see yourself belonging to?".

New Caledonia's first ethnic census was originally supposed to take place in August 2003, but was postponed because of criticisms that it contained discriminatory questions regarding the inhabitants' ethnicity.