Population growth in Alderney for first time in nearly 15 years

Friday 25 February 2022

Alderney’s latest electronic census report reveals an increase in the size of the island's population and births exceeding deaths for the first time since 2008.

Alderney's eighth annual electronic census report was released yesterday and provides details about the island’s population up to 31 March 2021.

“The census provides invaluable data on the key trends in population, housing and employment,” said Ian Carter, Deputy Chairman of Alderney's Policy & Finance Committee. 

“It enables us to form policy and in many respects confirms the initial direction we are taking with our Island Plan to ensure Alderney’s future prosperity.” 

Pictured: There were 1,012 households recorded in Alderney last year - 2% more than in the previous year.

The States of Alderney said: “Despite the travel restrictions in place during 2020 and early 2021, the total number of people moving to Alderney during the year ending 31 March 2021 was higher than in 2019 and 2020, while the total number of people leaving the island saw a decrease when compared to previous years.”

Findings of the census – for the year ending 31 March 2022:

• the population increased by 72 people to 2,102;
• there were 17 births and 16 deaths;
• there was net inward migration of 170 people;
• 34% of those who moved to Alderney were from Guernsey;
• since 2011, the number of people aged under 15 has decreased by 47 to 193;
• since 2011, the dependency ratio has increased from 38.7% to 47.1%.

The current dependency ratio means that for every 100 people of working age there are 89 of dependant age.

“The majority of the population (56.5%) lived in owner-occupied accommodation at the end of March 2021 while 31.5% were in private rental accommodation. 5.6% lived in affordable housing, including social rented and partially-owned units, and 3.8% lived in other housing, such as staff accommodation,” said the States.

“These figures represent 97.4% of the population as the addresses of the remainder were unidentifiable for the census.

Pictured: The average number of people per household in Alderney has remained the same since 2016.

“At March 2021, 47% of the population were in full-time education or in employment compared to 47.9% a year earlier. 30.4% were employed and 7.7% were self-employed. Overall, 73.7% of the population aged 16 to 64 were either in full-time education, employed or self-employed. 

“15 people were unemployed - in contact with the job centre during the last week of quarter one 2021 and actively seeking work.”