National statistical offices and government representatives from across the Caribbean are strengthening their capacity to produce and use advanced population data to better plan for development, climate resilience, and social services. This week, technical experts and policymakers are convening in Barbados for a regional workshop on Population Modelling, Small-Area Population Estimates, and the Application of the Degree of Urbanisation (DEGURBA).
The workshop equips countries with practical tools to generate more precise population data and analyze how populations are distributed across rural, peri-urban, and urban areas—information critical for effective national planning. The five-day workshop, taking place from March 9–13, 2026, at Hotel Indigo in Bridgetown, brings together partners from across the region and internationally, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), WorldPop, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the European Union (EU), and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (EU-JRC).
Jenny Karlsen, Deputy Director and Officer-in-Charge of the UNFPA Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean, noted that new tools are expanding what is possible in population data analysis, with approaches such as population modelling and small-area estimation increasingly complementing traditional population and housing censuses.
She highlighted the Degree of Urbanisation (DEGURBA) methodology as a globally standardized approach for classifying rural, peri-urban, and urban areas. Karlsen added that since 2023, UNFPA, with support from the European Union and partners, has been supporting countries to apply the methodology, reaching nearly 50 countries through national, multi-country, and regional workshops.
“What makes this work particularly powerful is regional coordination. No single country or institution can address these challenges alone. This workshop builds on the strong spirit of collaboration within CARICOM, creating opportunities for National Statistical Offices to learn from one another, share expertise, and collectively explore new technologies and approaches,” she said.
Accurate and timely population data is essential as Caribbean countries navigate a complex development landscape shaped by climate vulnerability, migration and mobility, and evolving demographic trends. By strengthening their ability to generate small-area and gridded population estimates, countries can better understand where people live and how communities are changing—enabling more targeted investments and policies.
During the first two days of the workshop, participants are focusing on developing and validating small-area population estimates using census data, survey data, projections, and modelling tools. The remaining sessions introduce the Degree of Urbanisation (DEGURBA) methodology, a globally recognized framework that classifies settlements based on population density and spatial patterns.
Jennifer Hunte, Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Economic Affairs and Planning, said strengthening population data and analysis is critical across all sectors of government.
“Population data informs economic planning, infrastructure development, fiscal policy, and the design of health and education systems,” said Hunte. “This workshop is about strengthening the capacity of our national statistical systems to produce more granular, timely, and actionable data so development policies respond to the needs of all populations,” she added.
Historically, countries have used different definitions to distinguish between urban and rural areas, making it difficult to compare data and assess development trends across countries. The DEGURBA approach provides a harmonized and people-centred framework that allows governments to produce comparable data while complementing national classifications. Dr. Armstrong Alexis, Deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM, highlighted the importance of harmonized population data for effective planning and resilience across the region.
“I am confident that the knowledge and skills gained during this workshop will enable member states to produce more precise, comparable, and relevant data, strengthening planning, resilience, and development outcomes for all citizens of our Caribbean community.”
By combining population modelling with settlement classification, the workshop provides national statistical offices with practical tools to generate policy-relevant data that can guide investments in infrastructure, services, and social protection—particularly for priority populations such as girls, adolescents, youth, and women.
The initiative also reflects the growing importance of regional collaboration in strengthening statistical systems. Through partnerships between governments, regional institutions, and international technical partners, Caribbean countries are building more resilient population data systems that support evidence-based decision-making.
