2021 United Kingdom census

2021 United Kingdom census
source
Name	2021 United Kingdom census
Previous census	2011 United Kingdom census
Next census	2031 United Kingdom census
Country	United Kingdom
Population	67,026,292
Percent change	6.3%
Region type	constituent country
Most populous	England
Least populous	Northern Ireland
Agency	Office for National Statistics, National Records of Scotland, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

2021 United Kingdom census was a detailed enumeration of the population and housing across the constituent nations of the United Kingdom. Conducted primarily on 21 March 2021, it was organized separately in England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland by their respective national statistical authorities. The collected data provides a crucial snapshot for government planning, resource allocation, and academic research across the British Isles.

Background and legislation

The census is a decennial event mandated by law, with the legal framework differing across the UK's nations. In England and Wales, the operation was conducted under the Census Act 1920 and subsequent secondary legislation. For Scotland, the governing statute was the Census (Scotland) Act 1920, administered by National Records of Scotland. In Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency operated under the Census Act (Northern Ireland) 1969. The decision to proceed followed a recommendation from the UK Statistics Authority and was approved by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the Scottish Parliament, and the Northern Ireland Assembly. This census was the first to follow the 2016 EU referendum and the UK's subsequent departure from the European Union, adding significant political and demographic context.

Planning and preparation

Extensive planning began years in advance, led by the Office for National Statistics for England and Wales. A major public consultation was held to determine new questions, leading to the inclusion of topics on armed forces veterans, sexual orientation, and gender identity. A large-scale rehearsal, known as the 2021 Census Rehearsal, took place in 2019 in selected areas including Carlisle, Ceredigion, and Tower Hamlets. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 presented unprecedented challenges, causing a one-year delay in Scotland's census to 2022, while the rest of the UK proceeded in 2021 with adapted safety protocols. Significant investment was made in digital infrastructure to support the first primarily online census.

Data collection and methodology

Data collection for the main phase commenced on Census Day, 21 March 2021. Households were encouraged to complete the questionnaire online via a unique access code, a shift from the paper-based approach dominant in the 2011 United Kingdom census. Field operations involved a workforce of temporary census officers to follow up with non-responding households, adhering to Public Health England guidelines. The methodology included the use of administrative data from sources like the Department for Work and Pensions and the NHS to improve coverage and quality. In Scotland, the census was conducted a year later in March 2022, with National Records of Scotland employing a similar but separate digital-first methodology.

Key findings and results

The first results, released in June 2022, showed the population of England and Wales was 59,597,300, a 6.3% increase since 2011. London remained the most populous region, while the East of England showed the highest growth rate. For the first time, less than half the population of England and Wales identified as "Christian" (46.2%), with 37.2% stating "No religion". Leicester and Birmingham were confirmed as the first UK cities with ethnic minority majorities. The data also revealed an aging population, with the number of people aged 65 and over increasing significantly. In Northern Ireland, results confirmed that Roman Catholics (45.7%) outnumbered Protestants (43.5%) for the first time.

Impact and analysis

The census data is vital for informing public policy, determining the allocation of billions in funding for services like the National Health Service, Transport for London, and local authorities. It will shape parliamentary constituency boundaries reviewed by the Boundary Commissions. Demographers from institutions like the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics analyze the figures to understand long-term trends in migration, household composition, and identity. The findings on religion and ethnic identity have sparked significant public and political discourse about the changing social fabric of the United Kingdom. The data also serves as a critical benchmark for businesses, charities, and researchers for the next decade.

Category:2021 in the United Kingdom Category:Censuses in the United Kingdom Category:2021 censuses