BSS clears air on 2021 census data

The Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) is clearing the air on data cited in its 2021 Population and Housing Census citing the number of atheists in the country.

This follows last Sunday’s revelations made by Anglican Bishop Reverend Michael Maxwell that the BSS survey revealed there were 62, 000 declared atheists of the 136,365 persons who participated in the census.

Maxwell was speaking at an anniversary service at the Church of Christ The King in Rock Dundo, St Michael.
In a statement today, BSS Director Aubrey Browne said the census instrument made no reference to the term atheist and should have been captioned ‘no religious affiliation’ rather than atheist.

“Whilst the data given from the 2021 Population and Housing Census is correct, the term atheist should not have been disseminated,” the BSS said.

The BSS said it remains committed to providing factual data to the public. (BT/BSS)