Census taking had its beginning in ancient times in the countries of Egypt, Babylonia, China, Palestine and Rome. In these earlier times, population counts were undertaken to determine fiscal, labour and military obligations and were usually directed towards heads of households, males of military age, taxpayers or adult citizens.

Census enumerations are mentioned in biblical writings citing 1491 B.C. and 1017 B.C. as crucial dates in census history.  In later years, censuses became important events across the Roman Empire, among French colonies and in the Scandinavian Countries.  Other nations, including France and Great Britain (1801) and the United States of America (1790) adopted the practice as well. During the 19th Century though, the taking of censuses spread more widely throughout Europe and extended to colonies in their possession, as they did throughout the Caribbean Region.

Since 1844, Trinidad and Tobago has conducted censuses with the more recent ones occurring at ten year intervals: - 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000.  Today, censuses are regarded as more than just population counts.  They provide a wealth of data for policy making and for planning programmes with PEOPLE IN MIND.

SUPPORT YOUR 2011 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS.
“CENSUS DATA CAN HELP YOU LATER”