Demographics of Dominica

This article is about the demographic features of the population of Dominica, including population density, ethnicity, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

Population

According to the preliminary 2011 census results Dominica has a population of 71,293.^[1] The population growth rate is very low, due primarily to emigration to more prosperous Caribbean Islands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. The estimated mid-year population of 2014 is 72,300 (medium fertility scenario of The 2012 Revision of the World Population Prospects).^[2]

Population by parishes

Name	Population	Percentage of national population	Total area (km²)	Population density
Saint Andrew	7004104610000000000♠10,461	14.77%	7002178270000000000♠178.27	59
Saint David	7003678900000000000♠6,789	9.58%	7002131600000000000♠131.6	52
Saint George	7004202110000000000♠20,211	28.54%	7001561000000000000♠56.1	360
Saint John	7003589700000000000♠5,897	8.33%	7001590000000000000♠59	100
Saint Joseph	7003576500000000000♠5,765	8.14%	7002120100000000000♠120.1	48
Saint Luke	7003157600000000000♠1,576	2.22%	7000777000000000000♠7.77	203
Saint Mark	7003189100000000000♠1,891	2.67%	7000990000000000000♠9.9	191
Saint Patrick	7003838300000000000♠8,383	11.84%	7001844000000000000♠84.4	99
Saint Paul	7003839700000000000♠8,397	11.86%	7001674000000000000♠67.4	125
Saint Peter	7003145200000000000♠1,452	2.05%	7001277000000000000♠27.7	52
Dominica	7004708220000000000♠70,822	100%	7002742240000000000♠742.24	105

Vital statistics^[3][4][5]

Structure of the population^[6]

Structure of the population (31.12.2006) (Estimates) :

Ethnic groups

The vast majority of Dominicans are of African descent (75% at the 2014 census).^[7] There is a significant mixed population (19%) at the 2014 census due to intermarriage, along with a small European origin minority (0.8%; descendants of French, British, and Irish colonists), East Indians (0.1%) groups, and there are small numbers of Lebanese/Syrians (0.1%) and Asians.

Amerindians

Dominica is the only Eastern Caribbean island that still has a population of pre-Columbian native Caribs (also known as Kalinago), who were exterminated or driven from neighbouring islands. According to the 2001 census there are only 2,001 Caribs remaining (2.9% of the total population). A considerable growth occurred since the 1991 census when 1,634 Caribs were counted (2.4% of the total population). The Caribs live in eight villages on the east coast of Dominica. This special Carib Territory was granted by the British Crown in 1903.^[8] The present number of Kalinago is estimated at 4% more than 3,000.^[9]

Languages

English is the official language and universally understood; however, because of historic French domination, Antillean Creole, a French-lexified creole language, is also widely spoken.

Religion

According to the 2001 census, 91.2% percent of the population of Dominica is considered Christian, 1.6% has a non-Christian religion and 6.1% has no religion or did not state a religion (1.1%).^[7]

Roughly two thirds of Christians are Roman Catholics (61.4% of the total population), a reflection of early French influence on the island, and one third are Protestant. The Evangelicals constitute the largest Protestant group, with 6.7% of the population. Seventh-day Adventists are the second largest group (6.1%). The next largest group are Pentecostals (5.6% of the population), followed by Baptists (4.1%). Other Christians include Methodists (3.7%), Church of God (1.2%), Jehovah's Witnesses (1.2%), Anglicanism (0.6%) and Brethren Christian (0.3%). During the past decades the number of Roman Catholics and Anglicans has decreased, while the number of other Protestants has increased, especially Evangelicals, Seventh-day Adventists, Pentecostals (5.6% of the population) and Baptists).^[7]

The number of non-Christians is small. These religious groups include the Rastafarian Movement (1.3% of the population), Hinduism (0.1%) and Muslims (0.2%).

The World Factbook demographic statistics

The following demographic statistics are from The World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated ^[10]

Nationality

• noun: Dominican(s)
• adjective: Dominican

Population

• 73,607

Languages

• English (official)
• French patois

Ethnic groups

• Black 86.6%
• Mixed 9.1%
• Indigenous 2.9%
• Other 1.3%
• Unspecified 0.2%

Religions

• Roman Catholic 61.4%
• Protestant 28.6%
  • Evangelical 6.7%
  • Seventh Day Adventist 6.1%
  • Pentecostal 5.6%
  • Baptist 4.1%
  • Methodist 3.7%
  • Church of God 1.2%
  • Other 1.2%
• Rastafarian 1.3%
• Jehovah's Witnesses 1.2%,
• Other 0.3%
• None 6.1%,
• Unspecified 1.1%

References