Population and Housing Census (PHC)
Introduction
The Samoa Bureau of Statistics is mandated under the Statistics Act 2015 to conduct the National Population and Housing Census (PHC) for Samoa every 5 years. The last Census was conducted in 2021 with a recorded population of 205,556 and when compared to the previous 2016 census count of 195,979, the population growth for Samoa reflects a net increase of 4,031 people.
The Bureau has been actively preparing and consulting stakeholders in preparation for its upcoming Population and Housing Census this year 2026 following the completion of its listing and mapping update earlier this year. Training for supervisors was held from the 21st – 25th September 2024 and Enumerators (interviewers) Training, or Main Training, will be held from 28th – 30th September and 1st -9th October 2026.
What is the Population and Housing Census (PHC)?
A population and housing census is a complete national count of every person, household, and dwelling in a country,
Why is the Population and Housing Census (PHC) important?
It provides the most reliable baseline data to review public policy and make evidence-based decisions informing infrastructure planning and development, and economic research.
i. Records individual characteristics like official names, age, sex, marital status, date of birth, place of birth, education, employment status and so forth.
ii. Records data on the number of buildings the household use, types of buildings, construction materials, access to safe drinking water, electricity, sanitation facilities and household assets and so forth.
– Full enumeration meaning all households in Samoa will be interviewed or enumerated.
– Enumeration will take place from the 13th October to 7th November 2026
All households are to prepare Birth certificates or any other document with date of birth like Baptist certificate/ passports/drivers license etc or record usual members date of births etc
Confidentiality
Any information obtained during the Population and Housing Census will be kept strictly confidential as specified under the “Statistics Act 2015” and will not be released in any form that will identify your household.
