Census Data Complete for Galapagos

The census of Galapagos is complete and now the guessing is over. The growth rate has been tremendous. This data really validates the need for controlling the population growth in Galapagos and laws such as the "Ley Especial de Galápagos". The growth rate is higher than any nation in Africa (for example) where the largest increase is 5.5% per year. The chart below compares the growth rates of Galapagos, Ecuador, and the rest of South America. Galapagos tops out at 6.4% per year.

Chart generated from data obtained from ECB Analyst Software

April 25, 1999
The National Census and Statistics Institute has delivered the results of the Census of Population, Occupation, and Dwellings of the Galapagos Islands to the Minister of Environment (Yolanda Kakabadse). The island chain has experienced a skyrocketing growth rate over the past decades. In 1950, there were 1346 inhabitants in the islands and now, in 1999, there are 16,184 which adds up to  6.4% annual increase in population.

Data sources:  El Comercio & El Colono
note: each has slight variation in numbers