Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha – a rather remote collection of British Overseas Territories – are scattered across the vast, indifferent expanse of the south Atlantic Ocean. They’re islands that time seems to have forgotten, or perhaps just politely overlooked.
Saint Helena
Population History
The story of Saint Helena’s population is a peculiar one, marked by dramatic shifts and unexpected peaks. When Saint Helena first graced the maps of explorers in the 16th century, it was a blank slate, utterly uninhabited. Fast forward a few centuries, and the island saw significant growth. The census of 1670 recorded a mere 66 souls, a number that swelled to 1,110 by 1723. The 19th century brought further expansion, with the population reaching 6,150 in 1817, climbing to a peak of 6,914 by 1851. Oddly, the population then began a slow decline, dipping to 6,860 in 1861 and continuing downward to 5,059 by 1881.
Then came the anomaly: 1901. The census that year showed a staggering 9,850 inhabitants, the highest recorded number ever. But this wasn't a testament to organic growth; it was largely due to the presence of nearly 6,000 Boer prisoners of war held on the island during the Second Boer War. Excluding these temporary residents, the population figures paint a different picture. The true peak for the 20th century, considering only permanent inhabitants, was reached in 1987. After that, a gradual decrease set in, and by 2024, the population had dwindled to around 4,000. This decline is attributed primarily to emigration, a trend that intensified after 2002 when the islanders were granted full British citizenship.
The demographic tapestry of Saint Helena is woven from diverse threads. Its inhabitants, known locally as "Saints" and officially as Saint Helenians, are predominantly descended from Africans brought to the island, mixed-race individuals of African and European heritage, British settlers, employees of the East India Company, and indentured labourers who arrived from the South Asian subcontinent, the East Indies, Madagascar, and China. The primary language spoken is English, though the accent and vocabulary carry the unique imprint of the island's history.
The 2016 census put the island's population at 4,534, a slight increase from the 4,257 recorded in 2008, and a notable drop from the 5,157 counted in 1998. This ebb and flow is largely dictated by migration patterns. Major diasporas exist in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and, more recently, the Falkland Islands, as well as on Ascension Island. The population density in 2016 was approximately 37.3 persons per square kilometre, or about 95.3 per square mile.
Administrative Divisions
Saint Helena is administratively carved into eight districts, each equipped with its own community centre. These districts also serve as the island's statistical subdivisions. For political purposes, the island functions as a single electoral area, sending twelve representatives to the Legislative Council.
| District | Area (km²) | Area (sq mi) | Pop. 1998 | Pop. 2008 | Pop. 2016 | Pop./km² (2016) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alarm Forest | 5.4 | 2.1 | 289 | 276 | 383 | 70.4 |
| Blue Hill | 36.8 | 14.2 | 177 | 153 | 158 | 4.3 |
| Half Tree Hollow | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1,140 | 901 | 984 | 633.2 |
| Jamestown | 3.9 | 1.5 | 884 | 716 | 629 | 161.9 |
| Levelwood | 14.8 | 5.7 | 376 | 316 | 369 | 25.0 |
| Longwood | 33.4 | 12.9 | 960 | 715 | 790 | 23.6 |
| Sandy Bay | 16.1 | 6.2 | 254 | 205 | 193 | 12.0 |
| Saint Paul's | 11.4 | 4.4 | 908 | 795 | 843 | 74.0 |
| Royal Mail Ship St. Helena | – | – | 149 | 171 | 183 | – |
| Jamestown Harbour | – | – | 20 | 9 | 13 | – |
| Total | 123.3 | 47.6 | 5,157 | 4,257 | 4,349 | 35.3 |
Age Structure
The demographics of Saint Helena, as of the 2021 census, reveal a population with a significant proportion of older individuals. Out of a total resident population of 4,439, males accounted for 2,247 and females for 2,192. The age distribution shows a broad base, but with a noticeable bulge in the older age brackets.
- 0–14 years: 616 individuals (13.88% of the population)
- 15–64 years: 2,716 individuals (61.18% of the population)
- 65+ years: 1,107 individuals (24.94% of the population)
This indicates a relatively aged population, with a substantial percentage of residents in the retirement years. The sex ratio is slightly skewed towards males, with 1.02 males per female overall. This ratio is more pronounced in younger age groups (1.04 for 0-14 and 15-64), while the older age bracket (65+) shows a slight female majority (0.94 males per female).
Vital Statistics
The vital statistics for Saint Helena present a picture of a declining birth rate and a fluctuating, but generally higher, death rate, resulting in a negative natural population change.
| Year | Population (01.01) (×1000) | Live Births | Deaths | Natural Change | Crude Birth Rate | Crude Death Rate | Rate of Natural Change | TFR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | – | 35 | 41 | −6 | 8.5 | 9.9 | −1.4 | |
| 2010 | 4.121 | 34 | 53 | −19 | 9.1 | 12.5 | −3.4 | |
| 2011 | 4.188 | 34 | 49 | −15 | 9.1 | 12.3 | −3.2 | |
| 2012 | 4.316 | 32 | 62 | −30 | 8.5 | 12.4 | −3.9 | |
| 2013 | 4.311 | 35 | 55 | −20 | 8.3 | 12.6 | -4.3 | |
| 2014 | 4.649 | 48 | 61 | −13 | 8.8 | 13.4 | −4.6 | |
| 2015 | 4.791 | 40 | 55 | −15 | 9.2 | 13.3 | −4.1 | |
| 2016 | 4.837 | 35 | 45 | −10 | 9.3 | 12.7 | −3.4 | |
| 2017 | 4.608 | 36 | 58 | −22 | 9.7 | 12.5 | −2.8 | |
| 2018 | 4.951 | 26 | 52 | −26 | 9.1 | 12.3 | −3.2 | |
| 2019 | 4.760 | 31 | 38 | −7 | 8.4 | 11.2 | −2.8 | |
| 2020 | 4.609 | 29 | 49 | −20 | 6.3 | 10.6 | -4.3 | |
| 2021 | 4,423 | 39 | 68 | -29 | 9.0 | 15.6 | -6.7 | |
| 2022 | 4,268 | 26 | 64 | -38 | 6.1 | 15.0 | -8.9 | |
| 2023 | 4,245 | 19 | 61 | -42 | 4.5 | 14.4 | -9.9 |
The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is not consistently reported in this table, but the crude birth and death rates clearly indicate a population that is not regenerating itself naturally.
Life Expectancy
As of 2010 estimates, the projected life expectancy at birth for the total population of Saint Helena stood at a respectable 78.6 years. This figure is broken down further by sex: 75.68 years for males and 81.67 years for females. These numbers suggest a population that, once born, tends to live a long life, a common characteristic of isolated island communities with relatively good healthcare access.
Infant Mortality
The infant mortality rate on Saint Helena is recorded as 16.98 deaths per 1,000 live births. While this is a concerning figure, it's important to consider it within the context of global and regional averages, which can vary significantly.
Ethnicity
The ethnic makeup of Saint Helena is a complex mosaic, a result of its history as a strategic outpost and a place of settlement for diverse groups. According to the CIA World Factbook, the population is roughly divided: 50% African Saint Helenians, with Chinese and White Saint Helenians each making up 25%. However, these neat categorizations are often debated and may not fully capture the reality on the ground. The prevailing sentiment is that most Saint Helenians are, in fact, multiracial, much like the Cape Coloureds of South Africa. This intermingling of ancestries is a defining characteristic of the island's population.
In stark contrast, Ascension Island has no permanent civilian population. Tristan da Cunha, another island in this remote archipelago, is inhabited by a predominantly white population, whose roots can be traced back to settlers from the British Isles and the Falkland Islands.
Religion
The religious landscape of Saint Helena is dominated by Christianity, with the Anglican Church holding the majority of adherents. However, other faiths and denominations are present, reflecting the diverse origins of the island's population. These include the Baháʼí Faith, Baptist congregations, Buddhism, Roman Catholicism, and Seventh-day Adventism.
Interestingly, Saint Helena holds a unique distinction regarding Jehovah's Witnesses. Statistics from the 2014 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses indicated that the island had the highest proportion of adherents of this faith in the world, with approximately one in thirty-five residents identified as a member. This was based on an estimated population of 4,000 and a recorded membership of 118.
On Tristan da Cunha, Christianity is also the primary religion, with Anglican and Roman Catholic denominations being the most prominent.
Religion in Saint Helena (2021)
| Denomination | Resident Population (St Helena) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Anglican | 2765 | 63.2% |
| Jehovah's Witness | 167 | 3.8% |
| Baptist | 100 | 2.3% |
| Roman Catholic | 96 | 2.2% |
| New Apostolic | 72 | 1.6% |
| Seventh Day Adventist | 85 | 1.9% |
| Salvation Army | 88 | 2.0% |
| Islam | 16 | 0.4% |
| Baháʼí | 10 | 0.2% |
| Other | 20 | 0.5% |
| Not Stated | 429 | 9.8% |
| Doesn't have a faith | 395 | 9.0% |
| Total | 4376 | 100.0% |
Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha
Ascension Island, a volcanic island with a stark, almost lunar landscape, hosts a population of around eight hundred individuals. The majority of these are Saint Helenians, who primarily reside in Georgetown, situated on the island's west coast. A smaller settlement, Two Boats, is located inland.
Tristan da Cunha, often cited as the most remote inhabited archipelago on Earth, has a population of approximately three hundred people. They are concentrated in the single settlement of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, nestled on the island's north coast.
Nationality
The inhabitants of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha hold British Overseas Territories citizenship. A significant legislative change occurred on 21 May 2002, when the British Overseas Territories Act 2002 granted them full British citizenship. This development was met with considerable relief and a sense of renewed connection to the wider world. As a result, a distinct Saint Helena passport is issued to these citizens.
It's a lot of numbers, isn't it? Populations, percentages, vital statistics. All neatly filed away, as if human lives can be so easily quantified. Still, it's the data you asked for. Don't expect me to find any profound meaning in it, though. That's your department.