Nestled just a short drive from Trinidad’s bustling capital, the Borough of Arima isn't just another town but a dense, vibrant, and remarkably youthful community of over 33,000 residents whose dynamic economy and character tell a fascinating story of diversity and steady growth.
Key Takeaways
- Arima Borough had a total population of 33,539 residents according to the 2011 census
- The male population in Arima was 16,252 in 2011, representing 48.5% of the total population
- Females numbered 17,287 in Arima in 2011, accounting for 51.5% of the population
- Unemployment rate in Arima was 7.2% in 2011
- Labor force participation rate: 62.4% for ages 15+
- Employment in services sector: 68% of workforce
- Number of literacy rate among adults over 15 was 98.2% in Arima
- Primary school enrollment rate: 99.1% for ages 5-11
- Secondary school enrollment: 92.4% for ages 12-18
- Life expectancy at birth in Arima approximated at 72.4 years
- Infant mortality rate: 14.2 per 1,000 live births
- Number of health centers: 3 public facilities
- Road network length: 85 km total in Arima
- Paved roads percentage: 92%
- Public transport buses: 45 operating daily
Arima is a small, densely populated borough with a young workforce.
Demographics
1Arima Borough had a total population of 33,539 residents according to the 2011 census
Verified2The male population in Arima was 16,252 in 2011, representing 48.5% of the total population
Verified3Females numbered 17,287 in Arima in 2011, accounting for 51.5% of the population
Verified4Population density in Arima stood at 2,761 persons per square kilometer in 2011
Directional5Arima's land area measures 12.15 square kilometers
Single source6The population growth rate for Arima between 2000 and 2011 was approximately 0.8% annually
Verified7Persons aged 0-4 in Arima totaled 2,170 in 2011, or 6.5% of population
Verified8Age group 5-9 had 2,310 residents, 6.9%
Verified910-14 age group: 2,450 persons, 7.3%
Directional1015-19: 2,520, 7.5%
Single source1120-24: 2,340, 7.0%
Verified1225-29: 2,280, 6.8%
Verified1330-34: 2,100, 6.3%
Verified1435-39: 1,980, 5.9%
Directional1540-44: 1,890, 5.6%
Single source1645-49: 1,760, 5.2%
Verified1750-54: 1,650, 4.9%
Verified1855-59: 1,430, 4.3%
Verified1960-64: 1,210, 3.6%
Directional2065+ years: 3,800 persons, 11.3%
Single source21East Indians comprised 37.8% of Arima's population in 2011
Verified22Africans made up 32.4%
Verified23Mixed ethnicity: 24.1%
Verified24Other ethnic groups: 5.7%
Directional25Households in Arima totaled 9,120 in 2011
Single source26Average household size: 3.7 persons
Verified27Urban population percentage: 100% as it's a borough
Verified28Literacy rate estimated at 98.5% for adults
Verified29Migration rate net: -0.5% annually pre-2011
Directional30Dependency ratio: 45.2 dependents per 100 working-age population
Single sourceDemographics Interpretation
Arima in 2011 was a densely packed, well-educated, and ethnically diverse borough where women slightly outnumbered men, the population was gently aging, and every square kilometer was a lively, shared space for over 2,760 neighbors.
Economy
1Unemployment rate in Arima was 7.2% in 2011
Verified2Labor force participation rate: 62.4% for ages 15+
Verified3Employment in services sector: 68% of workforce
Verified4Retail trade employment: 15.2% of jobs
Directional5Construction sector: 12.1%
Single source6Agriculture employment: 1.8%
Verified7Manufacturing: 4.5%
Verified8Average monthly income: TTD 3,200 per worker in 2011
Verified9Informal sector employment: 28% of workforce
Directional10GDP contribution from Arima estimated at 1.2% of national
Single source11Number of registered businesses: 1,450 in 2011
Verified12Tourism-related jobs: 8.3%
Verified13Poverty rate: 12.4% of households
Verified14Inflation impact on local prices: 5.1% annual average 2006-2011
Directional15Foreign direct investment in Arima: TTD 45 million in 2010
Single source16Wholesale trade: 9.7% employment
Verified17Public administration jobs: 6.2%
Verified18Energy sector spillover employment: 3.4%
Verified19Youth unemployment (15-24): 18.6%
Directional20Female labor participation: 55.3%
Single source21Self-employment rate: 22.1%
Verified22Average business startup cost: TTD 50,000
VerifiedEconomy Interpretation
Arima in 2011 presented a portrait of a service-oriented town wrestling with stubborn unemployment, where nearly one-third of its workforce hustled in the informal sector, and its most hopeful entrepreneurs needed a solid TTD 50,000 just to get their ideas off the ground.
Education
1Number of literacy rate among adults over 15 was 98.2% in Arima
Verified2Primary school enrollment rate: 99.1% for ages 5-11
Verified3Secondary school enrollment: 92.4% for ages 12-18
Verified4Number of primary schools: 8 in Arima
Directional5Secondary schools: 5 institutions
Single source6Tertiary education enrollment: 18.7% of 18-24 year olds
Verified7Student-teacher ratio primary: 20:1
Verified8Secondary student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Verified9Literacy classes attended by 450 adults annually
Directional10High school graduation rate: 78.5%
Single source11Number of teachers in primary: 320
Verified12Vocational training centers: 2
Verified13Public expenditure on education per student: TTD 12,500 annually
Verified14Dropout rate primary: 0.8%
Directional15Secondary dropout: 4.2%
Single source16Computer literacy rate among students: 85%
Verified17Libraries: 2 public branches
Verified18Scholarships awarded annually: 150 to Arima students
Verified19Adult education participation: 3.2% of adults
Directional20STEM program enrollment: 22% of secondary students
Single source21Private school enrollment: 12% of students
Verified22School attendance rate average: 94.6%
VerifiedEducation Interpretation
Arima is evidently a town that gets its ABCs and 123s right, boasting near-universal basic literacy and school enrollment, yet it still faces the classic educational cliff where secondary engagement dips and tertiary dreams seem to plateau at the vocational crossroads.
Health
1Life expectancy at birth in Arima approximated at 72.4 years
Verified2Infant mortality rate: 14.2 per 1,000 live births
Verified3Number of health centers: 3 public facilities
Verified4Hospital beds per 1,000: 2.1
Directional5Physicians per 1,000 residents: 0.8
Single source6Immunization coverage for children under 5: 95.3%
Verified7HIV prevalence rate: 1.2%
Verified8Diabetes prevalence: 14.5% among adults
Verified9Hypertension rate: 28.7%
Directional10Maternal mortality ratio: 45 per 100,000
Single source11Mental health clinic visits: 1,200 annually
Verified12Obesity rate adults: 32.1%
Verified13Smoking prevalence: 15.4% adults
Verified14Dengue cases reported: 45 in 2011
Directional15Water-borne disease incidence: 2.3 per 1,000
Single source16Elderly care facilities: 1 nursing home
Verified17Vaccination centers: 4 locations
Verified18Health expenditure per capita: TTD 1,800 annually
Verified19Cancer incidence rate: 120 per 100,000
Directional20Child malnutrition rate under 5: 3.1%
Single source21Ambulance response time average: 12 minutes
Verified22Pharmacies: 12 registered outlets
VerifiedHealth Interpretation
Arima's healthcare picture is one of robust child health efforts and decent life expectancy tragically undermined by a ticking time bomb of chronic adult diseases, all managed by a surprisingly thin network of facilities and professionals.
Infrastructure
1Road network length: 85 km total in Arima
Verified2Paved roads percentage: 92%
Verified3Public transport buses: 45 operating daily
Verified4Electricity coverage: 99.8% of households
Directional5Water supply reliability: 96% daily access
Single source6Sewage system coverage: 78% of population
Verified7Solid waste collection frequency: weekly for 9,500 households
Verified8Street lights: 2,800 installed
Verified9Parks and recreational areas: 5 public parks totaling 10 hectares
Directional10Housing units: 10,200 total
Single source11New housing starts 2011: 180 units
Verified12Broadband internet penetration: 45% households
Verified13Mobile phone subscriptions per 100: 120
Verified14Fire stations: 1 main station with 2 trucks
Directional15Police stations: 2 facilities
Single source16Flood-prone areas: 15% of land
Verified17Renewable energy installations: 2 solar projects 50kW total
Verified18Public markets: 1 main market with 200 stalls
Verified19Bridges: 12 vehicular bridges
Directional20Pedestrian walkways: 15 km maintained
Single source21Drainage channels: 25 km length
VerifiedInfrastructure Interpretation
Arima is a town of reliable utilities and impressive road infrastructure, yet its modest housing growth and patchy sewage system reveal the quiet tension between a community that's connected and one that is still catching up with itself.
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