Next census scheduled for 2014

Since regaining its independence 21 years ago, Georgia has conducted census only once - in 2002. The next census was planned for 2010 but the date was delayed and scheduled for 2014.

In 2002, the census revealed a total population of 4.6 million people in Georgia. This is approximately one million fewer individuals than during the previous census, carried out under the Soviet Union. Ethnically, the country was 83% Georgian, 6% Azeri, 5% Armenian, and 2% Russian. Tbilisi was the largest city with 1.1 million residents, followed by Kutaisi with 188,000, Batumi with 122,000, Rustavi with 117,000, Gori with 42,000, Zugdidi with 69,000, and Poti with 47,000.

The reason for the cancelled 2010 census is not clear. Some opposition figures have suggested that the government does not want an accurate population count in order to manipulate election results.