Dr. Singh assures of economic opportunities for all regions as census shows shifts in population density 

Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday used the first public glimpse of the 2022 Population and Housing Census to reaffirm the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and supporting all regions of Guyana.

The preliminary results reveal that every region recorded population growth — including Region Six — though the rate there lagged behind other areas, causing its share of the national population to dip slightly. Singh acknowledged this trend but framed it as an opportunity rather than a setback. “Within Region Six, the population has grown,” he said, highlighting that growth is occurring even in areas not yet at the centre of Guyana’s economic boom.

Singh tied these demographic shifts directly to patterns of economic activity. Over the last five years, development has concentrated around the mouth of the Demerara River, driven by oil, gas, and support industries in and around Georgetown. The slower relative growth in Region Six, he noted, mirrors the historical focus of investment in other parts of the country.

But change is on the horizon. Dr. Singh pointed to plans for a “second wave” of economic development in Region Six, centred on the mouth of the Berbice River. The upcoming landing of new gas pipelines is expected to unlock industrial, commercial, and residential growth, supporting both population retention and inward migration.

“These numbers are more than statistics,” Singh said. “They reflect where people live today and where opportunities must grow tomorrow. We are investing to ensure every region can offer meaningful work, economic activity, and a chance for families to build their lives locally.”

The census, Singh noted, does not just capture population size; it also provides a roadmap for national planning, revealing where infrastructure, housing, and jobs must follow the people.