OIA Applauds Recent Release of the 2022 Economic Census of Island Areas

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor today applauded the U.S. Census Bureau’s recently released 2022 Economic Census of Island Areas for American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Conducted every five years, the economic census is the most comprehensive measure of economic activity providing island and local economic estimates at various industry levels. This includes information on the number of business establishments, total employment, annual payroll, total sales, and select expenses and inventories in these jurisdictions. The economic census data were released for the Pacific territories in June and the USVI on July 9, and are available on the U.S. Census Bureau’s website: www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/island-areas/2022.html

“Because the territories are often excluded from federal data collection efforts, we applaud the U.S. Census Bureau’s inclusion of the U.S. territories in these very important federal statistics,” said Assistant Secretary Cantor. “This information is critical to business and governments alike, helping them understand trends in the composition of employer businesses in the U.S. territories, and the jobs they support.”

The Census Bureau’s inclusion of the U.S. territories in the economic census is an important example of the U.S. government’s role in producing data that can guide decision making, evaluate programs, and measure performance in the territories. Currently the U.S. territories face many data gaps, primarily because they are not included in many federal statistical products, as was identified in a May 2024 GAO report on territorial data.

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), in its role to serve and support the needs of the people living in the U.S. territories, advocates for the development of meaningful statistics for these insular areas. This support has historically included assistance to territories and federal agencies to fill the data gaps. Recently, during a House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, OIA testified in support of GAO’s recommendation for improved coordination across the federal community to address the persistent barriers and to meet the unique needs of the U.S. territories. To further support this dialogue, OIA is evaluating opportunities for more meaningful territorial statistics into the future.

The Census Bureau’s Economic Census of Island Areas demonstrates that the inclusion of the territories in the federal statistics is achievable and brings significant value in the ability to understand and respond to the needs of the U.S. territories effectively and efficiently.

The Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs and the Office of Insular Affairs
carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. OIA also administers a discretionary Technical Assistance Program for all the Insular Areas. Find information about OIA and its work on www.doi.gov/oia, Facebook, X, and YouTube.

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