Hubbry Logo
2011 United Kingdom census2011 United Kingdom censusMain
Open search
2011 United Kingdom census
Community hub
2011 United Kingdom census
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
2011 United Kingdom census
2011 United Kingdom census
2011 United Kingdom census
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
Census 2011
← 2001 27 March 2011 2021–2022 →
General information
CountryUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Authority
Website

A census of the population of the United Kingdom is taken every ten years. The 2011 census was held in all countries of the UK on 27 March 2011. It was the first UK census which could be completed online via the Internet.[1] The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for the census in England and Wales, the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) is responsible for the census in Scotland, and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) is responsible for the census in Northern Ireland.

The Office for National Statistics is the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, a non-ministerial department formed in 2008 and which reports directly to Parliament. ONS is the UK Government's single largest statistical producer of independent statistics on the UK's economy and society, used to assist the planning and allocation of resources, policy-making and decision-making.[2] ONS designs, manages and runs the census in England and Wales. In its capacity as the national statistics office for the United Kingdom, ONS also compiles and releases census tables for the United Kingdom when the data from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are complete.

In the run-up to the census both the main UK political parties expressed concerns about the increasing cost and the value for money of the census, and it was suggested that the 2011 census might be the last decennial census to be taken.[3]

The first results from the 2011 census, age and sex, and occupied households estimates for England and Wales and Northern Ireland, were released on 16 July 2012.[4] The first results for Scotland,[5] and the first UK-wide results, were published on 17 December 2012.[6] More detailed and specialised data were published from 2013.

Background

[edit]

History

[edit]

The Registrar General John Rickman conducted the first census of Great Britain's population, and was responsible for the ten-yearly reports published between 1801 and 1831. During the first 100 years of census-taking the population of England and Wales grew more than threefold, to around 32 million, and that of Scotland, where a separate census has been carried out since 1861, to about 4.5 million.

From 1911 onwards rapid social change, scientific breakthroughs, and major world events affected the structure of the population. A fire that destroyed census records in 1931, and the declaration of war in 1939, made the 1951 census hugely significant in recording 30 years of change over one of the most turbulent periods in British history.

The 1971 census was run by the newly created Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS), a body formed by the merger of the General Register Office and Government Social Survey. In 1996 the Office for National Statistics (ONS) was formed by merging the Central Statistical Office (CSO), OPCS and the statistics division of the Department of Employment; the first census it ran was in 2001.[2] In 2008 the UK Statistics Authority was established as an independent body.

Purpose

[edit]

A population census is a key instrument for assessing the needs of local communities. When related to other data sources such as housing or agricultural censuses, or sample surveys, the data becomes even more useful. Most countries of the world take censuses: the United Nations recommends that countries take a census at least once every ten years. Twenty-one out of 40 countries in Europe are engaged in the 2010–2011 census round[7] The design for the 2011 census reflected changes in society since 2001 and asked questions to help paint a detailed demographic picture of England and Wales, as it stood on census day, 27 March 2011.

Data collected by the census is used to provide statistical outputs which central government uses to plan and allocate local authority services funding, and which local authorities themselves use to identify and meet the needs of their local communities. Other organisations that use census data include healthcare organisations, community groups, researchers and businesses. The questionnaires, including people's personal information, are kept confidential for 100 years before being released to the public, providing an important source of information for historical, demographic and genealogy research.[8]

2011 census for England and Wales

[edit]
Census 2011
England and Wales
AreaEngland and Wales
RegistrarJil Matheson[9][10]
(as National Statistician)
Census day(s)27 March 2011
Issuing organisationONS
Data supplierLockheed Martin UK
Rehearsal11 October 2009
Rehearsal AreasLancaster, Newham, Anglesey
Census formsHousehold[9][10] and others
1st releaseJul 2012 – Nov 2012[11]
2nd releaseDec 2012 – Feb 2013[11]
3rd releaseMar 2013 – Jun 2013[11]
4th releaseJul 2013 – Oct 2013[11]
Website[1],
[2]

Operation

[edit]

The 2011 census for England and Wales included around 25 million households. Questionnaires were posted out to all households, using a national address register compiled by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) with the help of local authorities through comparisons of the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) and the Royal Mail and Ordnance Survey national address products.

People could complete and submit their questionnaire online, or fill it in on paper and post it back in a pre-addressed envelope. Guidance was provided online and through the census helpline. Completed questionnaires were electronically tracked and field staff followed up with households that did not return a questionnaire. Special arrangements were made to count people living in communal establishments such as; boarding schools, prisons, military bases, hospitals, care homes, student halls of residence, hotels, royal apartments and embassies, as well as for particular communities; rough sleepers, travellers and those living on waterways. In these cases field staff delivered and collected questionnaires and, where needed, provided advice or assistance in completing the questionnaire.

There was a legal requirement to complete the 2011 census questionnaire, under the terms of the Census Act 1920. As at 27 March 2011 everyone who had lived or intended to live in the country for three months or more was required to complete a questionnaire. Failure to return a completed questionnaire could lead to a fine and criminal record.

Production

[edit]
Front page of the 2011 census form.

Lockheed Martin UK, the UK arm of US-based aerospace, defence, security, and technology company Lockheed Martin was awarded the contract to provide services for the census comprising questionnaire printing, a customer contact centre and data capture and processing. The contract was valued at £150 million, approximately one third of the total £482 million census budget.

Concerns were raised during contract negotiations that the US PATRIOT Act could be used to force Lockheed Martin to reveal census data to US authorities.[12] The Cabinet Office state that Lockheed Martin will "develop the systems" used to process census data, but that "in essence ... neither Lockheed Martin UK nor any Lockheed Martin employee will have access to personal Census data."[13] The Office for National Statistics stated that no personal census information will ever leave the UK or be seen by any American-owned company.[14]

Several groups called for a boycott of the census over the involvement of Lockheed Martin, including the Stop the War Coalition,[15] and the Christian thinktank Ekklesia.[15] The groups were concerned about sharing data with a company involved in surveillance and data processing for the CIA and FBI; and also providing funding to an arms company making nuclear missiles and cluster bombs.[15] The Green Party also objected, and campaigned unsuccessfully to stop Lockheed Martin getting the contract, although no decision was made about whether or not to call for a boycott. The Census Alert campaign group also decided against calling for a boycott.[16]

Liberal Conspiracy said a boycott would be counter-productive, as the census is used to distribute funding to local services. Liberal Conspiracy reports that a council may lose £22,000 over 10 years for each person who does not complete the census.[17]

The census for England and Wales was trialled in 135,000 households in Lancaster, the London Borough of Newham and Anglesey on 11 October 2009. A test was also carried out in Birmingham at the same time.[18] The questions for the 2011 census were the same as those trialled in the 2009 Census Rehearsal. The Order for the 2011 Census (including the proposed question topics, census date and who should complete the questionnaire) was laid before Parliament in October 2009 and was approved by Parliament and became law in December 2009.

Capita Group was contracted by ONS to recruit, train and administer the pay for the 35,000 temporary ONS workers who worked as field staff for the 2011 census.[19]

Costs and value for money

[edit]

The total cost of the 2011 census in England and Wales over the period from 2004/05 to 2015/16 is estimated to be £482 million.[20] This is more than twice the £210m spent on the 2001 census.[21] This breaks down to a cost of 87 pence per person, per year (over the life of the census – ten years). "The cost equates to about 87p a year per person, demonstrating excellent value for money. The per capita costs in the UK are less than for many other European countries that carry out similar censuses. In summary, this census will meet crucial requirements for statistical information that Government and others cannot do without." Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Angela E. Smith).[22]

Both the main UK political parties had expressed concerns about the rising costs and value of a ten-yearly census, and on coming into office the UK coalition government had gone as far as suggesting that the 2011 census might be the last of its kind. In July 2010 the UK government asked ONS to explore other methods of measuring the population. In 2011 the three national statistics bodies, ONS, GROS and NISRA set up a co-ordinated research project known as Beyond 2011. The objectives of the programme were to assess the feasibility of improving UK population statistics using integrated data sources to replace or complement existing approaches, and whether alternative data sources could provide the priority statistics on the characteristics of small populations typically provided by a census.[3] The project reported its findings in March 2014 and recommended that a UK-wide census in 2021 should take place, and that better use should be made of other demographic data sources.[23]

Changes from 2001 census

[edit]

The general style of the questionnaire was similar to that of the 2001 census. A rehearsal questionnaire was released in 2009. Several new identity and status options were included for the first time. Other changes for 2011 included:

  • An option to complete the form online.[24]
  • The 2011 census questionnaire included 56 questions in total.[25]
  • It asked immigrants their date of arrival and how long they intended to stay in the UK.[26]
  • This was the first census since the Civil Partnership Act 2004; the questionnaire included tick boxes for same-sex civil partnerships in relevant questions. The Equality and Human Rights Commission had called for a question to be included regarding respondents' sexual orientation.[27] While the 2011 census does not ask about sexual orientation or identity, a question on sexual identity was introduced to all ONS social surveys in January 2009 to support the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007.
  • English, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh national identity tick-box option has been included following criticism that English and Welsh were absent from 2001.[28][29]
  • A question about the number of bedrooms a household has, as well as the names, gender and birth dates of any overnight guests.[30]
  • A question asking how well a respondent could speak English.[30]
  • Unlike the 2001 census, there was no question on whether a resident has access to a bath or shower.[31]
  • The section on ethnicity was expanded to include a "Gypsy or Irish Traveller" tick-box under the "White" heading and an "Arab" tick-box under the "Other ethnic group" heading, whilst Chinese was merged into the "Asian British" category, which formerly only included South Asian ethnic groups.[31][32]
  • The questionnaire for the 2001 census only included usual residents. For the 2011 census it also included visitors staying in the UK on the night of 27 March 2011, census day.

In 2001 only 38 people were reported to have been prosecuted for refusing to complete a questionnaire. In 2011 those who refused to complete the census questionnaire or included false information could face a fine of up to £1,000. A team of compliance staff were recruited to follow up by visiting those householders who refused to complete a questionnaire or where their questionnaire was not returned or completed correctly.[33]

Advertising

[edit]

Advertising promoted the notion of how the UK 2011 census would help to shape Britain's future in areas such as healthcare and education. TV adverts, for example, depicted Origami, in census colours, forming objects including school computers and buses. A short sentence under the census logo informed the viewer that the census was a duty that must be undertaken. From 7 April 2011 advertising focused on reminding people to complete and return by post or submit online.

Controversy

[edit]
An advert in Cornwall telling people how to describe their ethnicity and national identity as Cornish.

A question about the number of bedrooms a household has, as well as the names, gender and birth dates of any overnight guests was criticised as "bedroom snooping" by the Conservative Party in opposition.[30]

In a written answer in response to a question on population and the traditional enumeration methodology of the 2011 census, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said:[34]

The UK Statistics Authority is responsible for carrying out the census in England and Wales. The board of the authority has expressed the view that the 2011 census should be the last conduction on the traditional basis. Through the 'Beyond 2011' project the authority has been considering alternative ways of obtaining information that has been traditionally gathered via a census.

The current advice from the ONS is clear. Census alternatives are not sufficiently developed to provide now the information required to meet essential UK and EU requirements. It is therefore important that the census goes ahead in England and Wales on 27 March 2011. ONS must do all it can to ensure it is a success.

Although some 37,000 people recorded their identity as Cornish by manually writing it on the form in the 2001 census,[35] no tick-box was provided in 2011 to select Cornish as a White British national identity, despite campaigns.[36][37] As a consequence, posters were created by the census organisation and Cornwall Council which advised residents of how they could identify themselves as Cornish by writing it in the ethnicity, national identity and main language sections.[38] Additionally, people could record Cornwall as their country of birth.[39]

During the consultation on the 2011 census the British Humanist Association raised several concerns about question 20, "What is your religion?". The BHA argued it was a leading question, and suggested that it should be phrased as two questions, "Do you have a religion?" and "If so, what is it?". It contended that by placing the religion question near the ethnicity question it would encourage some responders to associate religion with cultural identity. The BHA also ran adverts during March 2011 encouraging the use of the 'no religion' box in the questionnaire.[40]

2011 census for Northern Ireland

[edit]
Census 2011
Northern Ireland
AreaNorthern Ireland
RegistrarT N Caven[41][42]
(as Registrar General, Northern Ireland)
Census day(s)27 March 2011
Issuing organisationNISRA
Data supplierLockheed Martin UK[43]
Rehearsal11 October 2009[44]
Rehearsal AreasDerriaghy and Moy & Benburb[44]
Census formsHousehold,[41] Individual,[42] and others
1st releaseJul 2012 – Sep 2012[45]
2nd releaseDec 2012 – Feb 2013[45]
3rd releaseMar 2013 – Jun 2013[45]
4th releaseJul 2013 – Oct 2013[45]
Website[3],
[4]

The 2011 census for Northern Ireland had 59 questions in total. 14 were about the household and its accommodation and 45 questions were for each individual member of the household to complete.[46]

The rehearsal was held on Sunday 11 October 2009 in two areas, Derriaghy and Moy & Benburb, covering approximately 5,000 households.[44]

The 2011 census for Northern Ireland costing around £21.8 million over the six-year period 2008–2014.[46] Over the ten-year cycle the cost is expected to be about £25 million.[46]

2011 census for Scotland

[edit]
Census 2011
Scotland
AreaScotland
RegistrarDuncan Macniven[47]
(as Registrar General, Scotland)
Census day(s)27 March 2011
Issuing organisationGROS, now part of NRS
Data supplierCACI
Rehearsal29 March 2009[48]
Rehearsal Areaswest Edinburgh, Lewis and Harris[48]
Census formsHousehold,[47] and others
1st releaseDec 2012 – May 2013[49]
2nd releaseSummer 2013[49]
3rd releaseAutumn 2013[49]
4th releaseWinter 2013[49]
Website[5],
[6]
The ethnic group question used in the 2011 census in Scotland.

In Scotland, a wholly owned subsidiary of information technology company CACI was contracted to gather information. CACI "provided interrogators who worked at Abu Ghraib prison at the height of the prisoner abuse scandal".[50]

The 2011 Scotland census asked 13 household questions and up to 35 questions for each individual. Plans were rehearsed in west Edinburgh and Lewis and Harris.[51]

The 2011 census was the first to include a question asking about the ability to read, write and understand the Scots language alongside the question for ability in Scottish Gaelic and English languages.

Release plans for 2011 census statistics

[edit]

Responsibility for the release of data from the 2011 census is split between the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for England and Wales, the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) for Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). The ONS announced in March the release plan for the results of the 2011 census which stated in July 2012.[52] NISRA made a similar announcement with identical release plan.[53] In June 2012 GROS advised on its release plan which commences in December 2012.[54] The releases will comprise data sets enabling the standard comparison with previous census data reports as well as over a hundred new data sets based on the new questions asked in the 2011 census.

Prospectuses

[edit]

NISRA, ONS and GROS each publish a schedule stating what documents they will release and when. Those documents are called a "prospectus". Each prospectus is not fixed, but changes as schedules are changed or documents are late. The prospectuses are linked to in the table below.

Area Issuing authority current prospectus and release plans
United Kingdom Office for National Statistics (ONS) – UK Wide Census Releases
England and Wales Office for National Statistics (ONS) – England and Wales Census Releases
Scotland General Registrar Office for Scotland (GROS) – Scotland 2011 Census Releases Archived 28 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Authority (NISRA) – Northern Ireland 2011 Census Releases

Release schedules

[edit]
Data release schedule for United Kingdom 2011 census data

The Office for National Statistics is responsible for publishing United Kingdom wide 2011 census data. These are co-ordinated releases coinciding with data published by the three national statistical authorities.[55]

Release 1.1: (17 December 2012)

[edit]

Population data including data for males and females for the United Kingdom and revised estimates England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.[56]

Release 1.2: (21 March 2013)

[edit]

Population numbers (rounded), by five-year age bands, sex and densities and household sata at national and local authority level.[57]

Release 1.3: (31 July 2013)

[edit]

Population estimates (unrounded) by single year of age and sex for the UK and all local authorities (or equivalent) in the UK, along with UK historic population pyramids (1951–2011).[58]

Release 2.1 (11 October 2013)

[edit]

Key and Quick statistics Part 1 – Census Profiles; Population, People and Places, Health and Social Care, Travel and Transport. National and Local Authority geographies.

Release 2.2 (4 December 2013)

[edit]

Key and Quick statistics Part 2 – Census Profiles; Qualifications and Labour Market. National and Local Authority geographies.

Release 2.3 (23 January 2014)

[edit]

Key and Quick statistics Part 3 – Multivariate, Local and Detailed Characteristics tables for: Living arrangements; Household composition; and Accommodation type.

Subsequent releases of UK-wide 2011 Census specialist products

[edit]

A series of further releases, subsequent to the four main releases of 2011 Census statistics including migration tables, workplace tables, detailed religion and ethnic group tables, and statistics relating to alternative population bases. Specialist products would include:- Small population groups; microdata; flow data (also known as origin-destination statistics). It is also suggested that data organised around alternative population bases may be produced.

  • Release of European Commission Census Regulation Statistics (31 March 2014) – UK data provided as part of an EU project to provide comparable statistics
  • Release of Key and Quick Statistics (13 June 2014) – Consolidated data sets previously published by the relevant census office in each constituent country of the UK.
  • Release OD1a Origin-destination data (25 July 2014) – Migration, workplace and students for local authorities
  • Release OD1a Origin-destination data (25 November 2014) – Movement of students from boarding school addresses
  • Release OD1a Origin-destination data (25 November 2014) – Location of usual residence and place of work
  • Release OD1c Origin-destination data (25 November 2014) – Internal and international migration.
  • Release UN questionnaire (18 December 2014) – UK submission for United Nations questionnaire on population and housing censuses (part 1)
  • Release UN questionnaire (21 January 2015) – UK submission for United Nations questionnaire on population and housing censuses (part 2)
  • Release UK1 (28 January 2015) – UK Detailed Migration tables
  • Release OD2 Origin-destination data (25 March 2015) – Migration for local authorities
Data release schedule for England and Wales 2011 census data

The original plans of the ONS, covering England and Wales, confirmed that there would be four stages of data release starting in July 2012 and running until October 2013. This was increased to five stages in October 2013. A detailed commentary accompanies each release along with relevant reference materials. Additionally there will be graphic visualisations providing further clarification and comparison between different data sets and comparison over time using data from earlier censuses. There will also be more specialist reports and products. Certain data bases will also be produced in the Welsh language.[55]

First phase releases: July – November 2012

[edit]

Population estimates, age and sex, and occupied households estimates for England and for Wales

Release 1.1 (July and September 2012)
[edit]
  • Release 1.1R (16 July) – Rounded estimates of the usual resident population and households by age, and sex and occupied households at country, regional, and local authority level
  • Release 1.1U (24 September) – Unrounded estimates of the usual resident population and households by age, and sex and occupied households at country, regional, and local authority level
Release 1.2 (22 October 2012)
[edit]

Residents with second properties outside the local authority area of their primary residence, at country and local authority level

Release 1.3 (23 November 2012)
[edit]

Estimates of the usual resident population and households by age, and sex and occupied households at ward and output area level

Second phase releases: December 2012 – March 2013

[edit]

Key and quick univariate (single parameter) statistics based on output levels, with release based on geography. (e.g. local authority, wards and parish/ community) tabulated by population count and percentages and accessible by post code.

Release 2.1 (11 December 2012)
[edit]

Key Statistics for local authorities in England and Wales comprising data which adds detail to the population estimates published in July 2012. It includes population information on international migration, age, ethnicity, national identity, health, housing and religion. Also labour force survey data. For Wales, there is data on the Welsh language and population data on unitary authorities.

Release 2.2 (30 January 2013)
[edit]

Statistical tables for Output Areas (OAs) and for wards. Background information covering families, general health and disability, unpaid care, language, occupation and industry, qualifications and economic activity.

Release 2.3 (19 February 2013)
[edit]

Key and quick statistics for postcode sectors, health areas and Welsh Government devolved constituencies, and the key statistics for national parks in England and Wales, with a separate release for Wales only.

Release 2.4 (26 March 2013)
[edit]

Statistical tables for non-UK short-term residents in England and Wales and quick statistics for England and Wales on national identity, passports held and country of birth, with a separate release for Wales only.

Third phase releases: May 2013 – February 2014

[edit]

Detailed characteristics in some cases determined by geography

Release 3.1 (16 May 2013)
[edit]

More detailed cross tabulation of data topics: Migration; ethnicity, identity, language and religion; health; and Welsh tables. Based on local authority areas.

Release 3.2 (June 2013 and July 2013)
[edit]
  • Release 3.2a (28 June) – Topics: Number of usual residents and number of households for Postcodes. Key statistics for built-up areas. Housing and demography. Based on local authority, regions, country, health areas and national parks.
  • Release 3.2b (12 July) – Topics: Migration, ethnicity identity, language, religion unpaid care and health. Based on local authority, wards, regions, country, heath areas and national parks. This release provides the first detailed cross tabulations of two or more topics previously issued in Releases 3.1 and 3.2a for MSOAs and 'Merged Wards'.
Release 3.3 (30 August 2013)
[edit]

Detailed Characteristics tables for the themes of demography and families at local authority, MSOA and ward level. English language proficiency for regions, local authorities, 2011 Census Merged Wards and MSOAs in England and Wales.

Release 3.4 (26 September 2013)
[edit]

Detailed Characteristics tables for communal establishments at local authority, MSOA and ward level

Release 3.5 (November 2013 – February 2014)
[edit]
  • Release 3.5a (29 November) Detailed Characteristics tables for labour markets and qualifications at local authority, MSOA and ward level
  • Release 3.5b (19 December) Detailed Characteristics tables for labour markets and qualifications at local authority, MSOA and ward level
  • Release 3.5c (26 February) Detailed Characteristics for approximated social grade for MSOAs and wards in England and Wales
Release 3.6 (26 February 2014)
[edit]

Detailed Characteristics tables for travel to work and armed forces, MSOA and ward level car or van availability for local authorities

Fourth phase releases: July 2013 – April 2014

[edit]

Topics will include multivariate data based on combinations of; age, sex resident type, ethnic group, economic activity, general health, provision of unpaid leave, country of birth, occupation, dwelling and accommodation type, household space

Release 4.1 (31 July 2013)
[edit]

The first Local Characteristics tables for the topics of ethnicity, identity, language and religion for Output Areas, unitary and local authorities and regions.

Release 4.2 (30 August 2013)
[edit]

Local Characteristics tables for the topics of health and unpaid care for Output Areas. Follow up to Release 3.2b on 12 July 2013.

Release 4.3 (26 September 2013)
[edit]

Local Characteristic Tables for the topic of migration for Output Areas.

Release 4.4 (January – February 2014)
[edit]
  • Release 4.4a (23 January 2014) – Local Characteristic Tables: Demography for Output Areas
  • Release 4.4b (23 January 2014) – Local Characteristic Tables: Housing for Output Areas
Release 4.5 (February 2014)
[edit]
  • Release 4.5a (26 February 2014) – Local Characteristic Tables: Labour market for Output Areas
  • Release 4.5b (26 February 2014) – Local Characteristic Tables: Occupations for Output Areas
Release 4.6 (26 March 2014)
[edit]

Local Characteristics on travel to work and car and van availability for Output Areas.

Fifth phase releases: 31 October 2013 – April 2014

[edit]
Release 5.1 (October 2013)
[edit]
  • Release 5.1a (31 October) – Topics: Non UK born short-term resident population statistics for Local Authorities.
  • Release 5.1b (31 October) – Topics: Workday population statistics for Output Areas (Part 1)
Release 5.2 (April 2014)
[edit]
  • Release 5.2a (24 April 2014) – Topics: Workplace Population Statistics using the new workplace zone geography
  • Release 5.2b (24 April 2014) – Topics: Workday Population Statistics for MSOAs and Output Areas (Part 2)
Release 5.3 (24 September)
[edit]

Out-of-term time statistics for:- population density, Marital and civil partnership status, sex and age, ethnic group and country of birth, main language, Welsh language, religion, passport held, provision of unpaid care, general health, highest level of qualification, economic activity, hours worked, industry, occupation, length of residence in the UK.

Sixth phase releases (May 2014)

[edit]
  • Release 6.1a (23 May 2014) – Migration Statistics for Wales
  • Release 6.2 (23 May 2014) – Armed Forces Statistics for Local Authorities in England and Wales

Subsequent releases of specialist products

[edit]

In addition to the six main releases phases further supplementary, smaller scale and specialist releases including; Small population groups, Microdata (teaching files, safeguarded files and secure files), Origin-destination data, and Alternate population bases.

Supplementary Releases via Nomis
[edit]
  • Release Sup. 1 (9 April 2014) Local Characteristics tables released on Nomis for:- residence, ethnic group, national identity, language proficiency, long-term health, student accommodation, highest level of qualification and occupation.
  • Release Sup, 2 (25 May 2014) Local Characteristics tables released on Nomis for:- ethnic group, general health, religion and social grade.
  • Release Sup, 3 (9 September 2014) Local Characteristics tables released on Nomis – Part 1:- residence, country of birth, long-term and general health, religion, language proficiency, provision of unpaid care, workplace and travel to work.
  • Release Sup, 4 (28 January 2015) Local and Detailed Characteristics tables released on Nomis – Part 2:- communal establishments. sex by age with ages below 25 broken down to single year of age
Supplementary Releases of Origin-destination data
[edit]
  • Release OD1a Origin-destination data (25 July 2014) (superseded by UK release 25 November 2014) – Internal and international migrants for merged local authorities and MSOAs.
  • Release OD1a Origin-destination data (25 July 2014) (superseded by UK release 25 November 2014) – Commuting patterns and workplaces for merged local authorities and MSOAs.
  • Release OD1b Origin-destination data (25 July 2014) – Dependent children Usual and second residences for merged local authorities and MSOAs.
  • Release OD2 Origin-destination data (25 March 2015) – Location of usual residence and place of work for Output Areas and Workplace Zones
Smaller scale Releases
[edit]
  • Release Small population Dataset SP1 (18 December 2014) – specific ethnic group or country of birth population by sex and age.
  • Release Small population Dataset SP2 (18 December 2014) – separate ethnic group, religion or national identity by sex, age, economic activity, qualifications, provision of unpaid care and disability.
Data release schedule for Northern Ireland 2011 census data

The release plans for Northern Ireland were set out by the NISRA. The release phases are closely synchronised with those of the ONS for England and Wales with some marginal variations to allow for local administrative arrangements.[59] The release phases are as follows:-

First phases releases (July – September 2012)

[edit]
Release 1.1 (16 July 2012)
[edit]

Usual resident population by single age and sex.

Release 1.2 (19 September 2012)
[edit]

Usual resident population by single age and sex for Local Government Districts, etc. Household number and size by geographic units.

Second phase releases (December 2012 – February 2013)

[edit]
Release 2.1 (11 December 2012)
[edit]

Key statistics for NI and Local Government Districts etc.

Release 2.2 (30 January 2013)
[edit]

Key statistics for Assembly Areas, Electoral Wards, Super Output Areas (SOAs) and Sammer Areas (SAs)

Release 2.3 (28 February 2013)
[edit]

Quick statistics for all geographies and population and household estimates for lower geographies.

Third phase releases (May – November 2013)

[edit]
Release 3.1 (16 May 2013)
[edit]

Detailed characteristics for NI-wide and all local authority and other geographies (including religion, identity and health).

Release 3.2 (28 June 2013)
[edit]

Detailed characteristics for NI (including ethnicity, country of birth and language).

Release 3.3 (11 September 2013)
[edit]

Remaining detailed characteristics for NI including labour market and housing.

Release 3.4 (28 November 2013)
[edit]

All outstanding detailed characteristics for the remaining geographic areas.

Fourth phase release (March 2014)

[edit]
Release 4.1 (20 March 2014)
[edit]

Multivariate local characteristic tables and detailed themes around: economic activity; country of birth; occupation; and unpaid care.

Subsequent releases of specialist products

[edit]

In addition to the three main releases further smaller-scale and specialist releases including; Detailed, Local Characteristics, Special and Alternative populations:

  • Release (24 September 2014) Short-Term Resident Population
  • Release (19 November 2014) Workplace Population Statistics
  • Release (18 December 2014) Daytime Population Statistics
  • Release (30 January 2015) Statistics for New Local Government Districts, Wards and Small Areas
  • Release (26 February 2015) Detailed and Local Characteristics Travel to Work or Place of Study
  • Release (26 February 2015) Additional Workplace and Daytime Population Statistics
Data release schedule for Scotland 2011 census data

The release plans for Scotland were set out by the GROS Release phase dates are partly in sync with those of the other UK constituent country statistical authorities, however the first release was scheduled for six months after the first releases by the other authorities. Consequently, release of UK-wide data has been scheduled so as to coincide with release plans for Scotland's Census releases.[60] The release phases are as follows:-

First release: (December 2012 – August 2013)

[edit]

Population estimates, based on resident households, communal establishments and age bands.

Release 1A (17 December 2012)
[edit]

Estimates of the usually resident population of Scotland rounded to the nearest thousand, broken down by age and sex. An estimate of the total population in each council area, rounded to nearest thousand.

Release 1B (21 March 2013)
[edit]

Population estimates by five-year age bands and sex for Scotland and each council area. Household estimates. Population and household changes since 2001 census. Population dependency ratios for Scotland and each council area.

Release 1C (July – August 2013)
[edit]

First release of unrounded population estimates and household communal establishment numbers, by single year of age and sex. (First published as rounded data in December 2012 and March 2013).

  • Release 1C (part one) (23 July 2013) National, council areas, and health boards.
  • Release 1C (part two) (15 August 2013) postcodes, Output Areas and census datazones.

Second release: (September – December 2013)

[edit]

Key and quick statistics; Census Profiles; headcounts and geography products. Comprising; Estimates by postcode and geography products. This release will represent the start of the dissemination of detailed census statistics for small areas.

Release 2A (26 September 2013)
[edit]

Key and quick statistics tables for marriage and civil partnership, ethnicity, religion, language proficiency, country of birth and national identity, heath (excluding long-term health), age, arrival in UK, population and households, housing and accommodation, car and van ownership. Coverage: Scotland, Council Areas and Health Boards.

Release 2B (11 November 2013)
[edit]

Key and quick statistics tables for Education and Labour Market. Coverage: All output areas and Data Zones. Also the key and quick statistics for the remaining geographies of the topics covered in Release 2a.

Release 2C (18 December 2013)
[edit]

Key and quick statistics tables for Living Arrangements and Travel to Work Methods. Coverage: All levels of census geographies.

Release 2D (9 April 2014)
[edit]

Key and quick statistics tables for households, health and deprivation

Third release: (February 2014 onwards)

[edit]

Local Characteristics tables. Multivariate statistics, comprising a combination of; age, sex, resident type, ethnic group, economic activity, general health and provision of unpaid care, country of birth, and occupation.

Release 3A (27 February 2014)
[edit]

Detailed Characteristics tables for Ethnicity, National Identity, Language Proficiency and Skills and Religion topics −1

Release 3B (19 March 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables for Ethnicity, National Identity, Language Proficiency and Skills and Religion topics −2

Release 3C (9 April 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables for Ethnicity, National Identity, Language Proficiency and Skills and Religion topics −3

Release 3D (15 May 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables from Marriage and Civil Partnership, Household, Residency, Family and Living Arrangements, English Language Skills

Release 3E (4 June 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables from Marriage and Civil Partnership, Residency, Family and Living Arrangements, Communial establishments

Release 3F (25 June 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables for Health, Housing, Population and Diversity

Release 3G (23 July 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables for Economic Activity and Education

Release 3H (13 August 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables for Qualifications, Employment and Economic Activity, Travel for Work and Study.

Release 3I (24 September 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables for Labour Market and Education tables

Release 3J (16 October 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables including Long-term Health and Care, Housing and Accommodation

Release 3K (6 November 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables including Household and Residence

Release 3L (27 November 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables including Transport

Release 3M (18 December 2014)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables including Transport and Population and Households

Release 3N (29 January 2015)
[edit]

Local and Detailed Characteristics tables including; Travel to Work, Household, Qualifications and Long-term Health, Social Status and Economic Activity.

Subsequent releases of specialist products

[edit]

In addition to the three main releases further smaller-scale and specialist releases including; Detailed, Local Characteristics, Special and Alternative populations:

  • Release (24 September 2014)Short-Term Resident Population
  • Release (19 November 2014)Workplace Population Statistics
  • Release (18 December 2014) Daytime Population Statistics
  • Release (30 January 2015) Statistics for New Local Government Districts, Wards and Small Areas
  • Release (26 February 2015) Detailed and Local Characteristics Travel to Work or Place of Study
  • Release (26 February 2015) Additional Workplace and Daytime Population Statistics

Publication of the 2011 census results

[edit]

The United Kingdom Statistics Authority is responsible for coordinating the release of census data by the devolved statistics authorities. It publishes UK-wide census data results via the Office for National Statistics (ONS) site. The UK Statistics Authority also provides a central point of reference for all country-specific census data releases via its Publications Hub site.

Primary responsibility for country-specific 2011 census data rests with the statistical authorities for each of the UK's constituent countries. Each authority has at least one dedicated central source from which data can be downloaded or ordered. For England and Wales the ONS provides the access to primary data via its 2011 census site. Additionally, data organised by local authority or post code is available on the Neighbourhood Statistics Archived 20 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine site, and nomis, a source of detailed census results which can be assembled into bespoke data sets. For Scotland the General Registrar Office for Scotland (GROS) part of National Records of Scotland (NRS) to maintain access via its Scotlands Census site, and for Northern Ireland the Statistics and Research Authority (NISRA) uses the Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Information Service (NINIS).

Pre-defined statistical tables

[edit]

The format of all the pre-defined statistical tables is standardised as far as practical across the publishing authorities. Since the 2001 UK census the naming conventions for the tables have been revised following research into the approaches adopted by other census publishing bodies around the world.[61]

  • Key Statistics – KS (same as in 2001)
  • Quick Statistics – QS (formerly Univariate (UV) tables)
  • Local Characteristics – LC (formerly Census Area Statistics (CAS))
  • Detailed Characteristics – DC (formerly Standard (S) tables)
  • Themes – T (formerly Standard Themes (T) tables)
  • Local Themes – LT (formerly Census Area Statistics Themes (CAST) tables)

Bulk data

[edit]

The statistical authorities are also making available bulk data in Comma-separated values (CSV) file format which can be downloaded from online data warehouse facilities.

Commissioned data

[edit]

In addition to the standard releases and online bulk access the statistical authorities provide a commissioned data service whereby other data configurations can be purchased, under license, by customers and will subsequently be made freely available to other users.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2011 United Kingdom census

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2011 United Kingdom census was the twentieth decennial , conducted simultaneously on 27 March 2011 in , , , and [Northern Ireland](/page/Northern Ireland) under the coordination of the Office for National Statistics, National Records of Scotland, and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. It enumerated a total of 63,182,178 usual residents across 26,442,096 households, reflecting a 7.1% increase from the 58,789,194 recorded in 2001. The census gathered detailed data on demographics including age, , , , , , migration history, , , , , and household composition, with innovations such as the first inclusion of questions on skills and civil partnership status. Key results highlighted an aging population, with over-65s comprising 16.9% in (up from 15.9% in ), alongside rapid growth in non-UK-born residents (13.4% of the population, a 61% rise since ) and self-identified ethnic minorities (14% versus 9% in ). It also permitted write-in responses for ethnic groups, notably enabling over 83,000 people in to identify as Cornish, affirming a distinct identity previously untabulated at scale. While praised for its comprehensive coverage—achieving a 94% response rate in —the faced scrutiny over estimated undercounts of around 0.5-1% in high-mobility urban areas, potentially affecting and migration estimates, though official coverage assessments deemed adjustments sufficient for use. Approximately 16% of returns were submitted , a procedural advance that improved efficiency but raised pre-census debates on costs exceeding £480 million amid questions of long-term viability against administrative data alternatives. The outputs informed government planning, electoral boundaries, and funding for the decade, underscoring the 's role in evidencing population-driven pressures on and welfare systems.

Background

Historical Context of UK Censuses

The modern practice of census-taking in the United Kingdom originated with the Census Act 1800, which mandated the first official enumeration of the population in on 10 March 1801. This initial census, organized by John Rickman, focused on aggregate data rather than individual records, collecting information on the number of persons, families, houses, and principal occupations within each parish or place, with a total population recorded for at approximately 8.9 million and for at 1.6 million. The exercise was driven by parliamentary needs for reliable demographic data to inform policy on , taxation, and amid the , marking a shift from earlier ad hoc surveys like the of 1086, which served feudal rather than statistical purposes. Ireland conducted a separate census starting in 1811, but it was not integrated into British enumerations until after partition in 1921, when aligned with UK decennial cycles. Subsequent censuses in 1811, 1821, and 1831, also overseen by Rickman, refined the process by expanding occupational categories and improving enumeration through local overseers, establishing the decennial rhythm that has persisted with few interruptions. The 1841 census introduced individual-level enumeration with household schedules naming residents, their ages (rounded to nearest five years except for children under 15), sex, occupation, and birthplace, coinciding with the establishment of of births, deaths, and marriages, which enhanced data accuracy and utility for vital statistics. Over time, questionnaires evolved to include (from 1851), relationship to head of household (from 1871), and later , , and migration details, reflecting growing governmental demands for socioeconomic planning, though early efforts faced challenges like enumerator errors and non-response in remote areas. The tradition continued uninterrupted until the Second World War, when the scheduled 1941 census was cancelled due to security concerns and resource constraints, with the next held in 1951 under the Census Act 1920, which formalized provisions for future decennial counts across , , and . Post-war censuses incorporated sampling techniques and mechanical tabulation to handle increasing data volume, while maintaining core demographic focus; for instance, the 1961 census first used computers for processing in . By the late , questions on (self-reported from 1991) and religion (optional from 2001) were added to address multicultural shifts, though these expansions sparked debates on privacy and response burden, with official sources emphasizing the census's role in evidence-based over ideological concerns. This cumulative development positioned the 2011 census as the 21st in the series for , upholding the empirical foundation laid in for tracking . The legal basis for the 2011 United Kingdom census derived from distinct statutory frameworks across its devolved jurisdictions, reflecting the constitutional arrangements post-devolution. In , the Census Act 1920 provided the primary authority, empowering the Registrar General—through the Office for National Statistics (ONS)—to conduct a for or specified areas at intervals not less than five years apart, with each iteration requiring secondary such as an to specify the date, scope, and questions. The Census (England and Wales) Order 2011, laid before in late 2010, directed the on 27 March 2011, mandating completion by householders and imposing penalties for non-compliance, including fines up to £1,000. Scotland's census operated under the Census Act 1800, supplemented by the Census (Scotland) Order 2010, which the Scottish Ministers made to authorize the on the same date, defining the persons enumerated (residents and certain visitors) and the information required, such as on household composition and . Accompanying regulations, the Census (Scotland) Regulations 2010, detailed procedural aspects like questionnaire distribution and confidentiality protections, enforceable by the Registrar General for Scotland with similar fines for refusal. In , the Census Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 formed the foundation, with the Census Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 specifying the 27 March census date and content, administered under the Department of Finance and Personnel. Administrative responsibilities were decentralized to align with devolved governance, ensuring harmonized yet jurisdiction-specific execution. The ONS, as the executive office of the , bore overall responsibility for , coordinating questionnaire design, field operations, and data processing under the National Statistician. For , the National Records of Scotland (NRS) managed operations, including address file development and response follow-up, reporting to the . Northern Ireland's Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), an of the Department of , handled , leveraging local knowledge for areas with cross-border sensitivities. This structure facilitated UK-wide comparability on core topics like and while allowing jurisdictional adaptations, with funding allocated proportionally—approximately £482 million total, predominantly for . Confidentiality was uniformly safeguarded under 100-year disclosure rules, with data sharing limited to statistical purposes.

Primary Objectives and Expected Outputs

The primary objectives of the 2011 United Kingdom census centered on delivering accurate, high-quality and statistics to support evidence-based policymaking, public service delivery, and by central and local governments. These goals encompassed enumerating the total resident , households, and communal establishments while capturing key demographic, social, economic, and characteristics to establish a reliable benchmark for mid-year estimates and small-area projections. Across jurisdictions, the census aimed to ensure consistency in core data for UK-wide comparability, though questionnaires were tailored by devolved administrations— via the Office for National Statistics (ONS), via National Records of Scotland (NRS), and via the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)—with harmonized questions on topics like age, , , and migration to facilitate cross-border analysis. A core focus was addressing under-enumeration through coverage assessment and adjustment processes, targeting an overall response rate above 94% while quantifying and correcting for non-response to produce adjusted estimates for small areas and subgroups, such as ethnic minorities or recent migrants, which prior censuses had underrepresented. For , the explicit aim included value-for-money outputs meeting user needs for policy evaluation, service planning in areas like education and healthcare, and funding formulas such as the for devolved spending. In and , objectives aligned with providing granular data for local authority planning, including housing needs and labor market analysis, while emphasizing and statistical disclosure controls to protect respondent amid growing data sensitivity concerns. Expected outputs comprised phased data releases starting with preliminary population totals by age, sex, and household counts on 16 July 2012 for and , followed by Scotland's figures in December 2012, enabling rapid updates to and projections. Subsequent releases through late 2013 included thematic datasets on , , , , qualifications, economic activity, patterns, and , disseminated via aggregated tables, interactive tools, and custom extracts at scales from national to output areas (typically 100-300 households). These outputs supported over 400 standard tables per , with UK-harmonized summaries for comparability, and underpinned applications like revising funding allocations and investments, though initial undercounts prompted methodological reviews for future cycles. Overall, the census yielded benchmark data revealing a UK of 63.2 million, informing revisions to pre-census estimates by approximately 500,000 persons.

Planning and Design

Questionnaire Development and Content Changes

The development of the 2011 census questionnaires across the involved coordinated yet jurisdiction-specific processes of consultation, cognitive testing, and iterative refinement to balance emerging data requirements with historical comparability. In , the Office for National Statistics (ONS) initiated a from May to August 2005 to identify user needs, followed by large-scale testing in 2007 and a full rehearsal in 2009 across selected local authorities. This included cognitive interviews, focus groups, and evaluations of question wording, routing, and respondent burden to ensure . Final recommendations were outlined in the December 2008 Helping to Shape Tomorrow, subjected to parliamentary scrutiny, with the Census Order laid before in 2009 and regulations approved in spring 2010. In , content changes from the 2001 census emphasized refined identity and migration metrics, adding questions on (allowing multiple selections such as English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish, or Cornish), passports held, main language spoken, and proficiency in English. Additional refinements included a query on the number of bedrooms in households and expanded options for second residences, while categories were updated—such as elevating Chinese from "Other" to a standalone group and considering a Kashmiri tick-box, though not ultimately included. Further testing targeted term-time addresses, (remaining voluntary), and citizenship to address ambiguities from prior censuses. Wales-specific additions covered skills. These modifications aimed to capture nuanced demographic shifts, including a dedicated Cornish identity option following advocacy campaigns, without introducing questions on or other untested topics. Scotland's National Records of Scotland (NRS) employed similar rigorous methods, including 70 cognitive interviews by in 2009 to optimize question functionality, alongside focus groups with diverse demographics (e.g., elderly, rural residents, ) and surveys assessing public acceptability. Proposals for were tested via a 2005 household survey of 4,400 respondents but rejected due to concerns over response accuracy and privacy. Key additions included , skills in or Scots, and long-term health conditions, diverging from by omitting passports held or intended stay duration; questions retained a distinct with expanded sub-options like Polish under White. Northern Ireland's questionnaire, managed by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), introduced questions on voluntary work, ability in Irish or Ulster-Scots, religion brought up in (alongside current ), and detailed migration history (e.g., prior residence outside NI, arrival month/year). permitted multiple responses, enhancing granularity over 2001's single-selection format. Unlike other jurisdictions, no query on household bedrooms was included, and outputs emphasized cross-border comparability challenges due to these variances. Overall, UK-wide was prioritized for core topics like age, , and occupation, but devolved priorities led to non-comparable elements in , , and , reflecting distinct policy needs.

Methodological Innovations from 2001

The 2011 Census in introduced a mass post-out strategy, whereby questionnaires were mailed directly to households using an address register developed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), marking a departure from the 2001 reliance on enumerators for widespread delivery. This approach aimed to reduce operational costs and enumerator workload while leveraging postal infrastructure for initial distribution, with households returning forms by post or opting for digital submission. In areas with anticipated low response, targeted follow-up by field teams supplemented the post-out method, informed by real-time monitoring via field technology to direct resources efficiently. A significant innovation was the provision of an questionnaire completion option, unavailable in , designed to accommodate technological advancements and potentially boost participation through convenience. This multimode response system—encompassing paper, , and assisted completion via call centers—incorporated a robust tracking mechanism from printing through processing to minimize loss and ensure data integrity. and adopted similar capabilities, though retained elements of the householder enumeration method akin to , with testing in hard-to-count areas to refine procedures. Coverage assessment built upon the One Number Census framework but featured enhancements for greater precision and bias reduction, including a stratified Census Coverage Survey sampling approximately 320,000 households with improved "hard-to-count" proxies and area-based indicators. estimation integrated additional external sources, such as visitor accommodation data and large-scale government surveys, to address dependencies between census and survey responses, while targeting narrower confidence intervals (e.g., 0.1% nationally) and better accounting for overcount, which was underestimated in at 0.1-0.4%. These refinements applied UK-wide, with maintaining statistical adjustments for under-enumeration consistent with practices. Processing methodologies advanced with automated editing, donor-based imputation for , and expanded call center support for query resolution, drawing lessons from 2001's undercoverage challenges to enhance overall without altering core adjustment principles across jurisdictions.

Budget Projections and Risk Assessments

The planning for the 2011 United Kingdom census included budget projections totaling approximately £500 million across all jurisdictions, with the bulk allocated to under the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This forecast encompassed costs for questionnaire design, field operations, , and , drawing from the 2006 that emphasized cost efficiencies over the 2001 census, such as increased online response options to reduce printing and enumeration expenses. The projection accounted for and methodological changes, positioning the census as roughly 40% of the Statistics Board's relevant funding envelope from 2007 to 2012, with success measured partly by adherence to this cap amid historical overruns in prior cycles. Risk assessments, as outlined in the Statistics Commission's 2007 report, identified primary threats to census integrity and efficiency, including inadequate national address registers leading to enumeration gaps, particularly in urban and migrant-heavy areas. Additional risks encompassed low public cooperation due to potential political or campaigns portraying the census as intrusive, operational failures from staff shortages or in capture, and discrepancies between census outcomes and mid-year population estimates that could erode credibility. Financial risks were highlighted through the need to avoid cost escalations, informed by experiences, with contingencies planned for external disruptions like or pandemics. To mitigate these, planners recommended prioritizing a robust address register via local authority , enhancing migration data through administrative record integration, and fostering stakeholder consensus to counter apathy or confidentiality concerns. Contingency measures included scalable for online submissions and phased testing to address undercoverage in hard-to-reach groups, with ongoing monitoring to ensure alignment with projected timelines and budgets. These strategies aimed at achieving response rates above levels while maintaining fiscal discipline, ultimately resulting in actual costs near the £482 million mark for .

Execution by Jurisdiction

England and Wales Operations

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) was responsible for designing, managing, and conducting the 2011 Census in England and Wales. The census occurred on Sunday, 27 March 2011, capturing data on individuals usually resident on that date. It employed a primarily postal model, with approximately 25 million pre-addressed questionnaires mailed to households using the National Address Register, a comprehensive list of residential addresses. Special arrangements involved enumerators delivering questionnaires to communal establishments such as care homes, prisons, and military bases. Respondents could complete and return questionnaires either by post or , marking the first UK census to offer a digital submission option, which facilitated quicker processing and reduced manual handling. Each included unique barcodes for electronic tracking, enabling real-time monitoring of returns and targeted interventions. Field operations were supported by around 35,000 temporary staff, including approximately 30,000 collectors who conducted follow-up visits in low-response areas to maximize participation. This staff reduction from the 2001 Census reflected efficiencies from the postal and methods, though intensive efforts focused on hard-to-reach groups and urban areas with historically lower response rates. Data processing began immediately after census day, with returned forms scanned between March and November 2011, yielding about 24 million processed questionnaires. Automated systems handled cleaning, coding, and imputation for missing or inconsistent items, using methods like logical imputation based on donor records to maintain without introducing . A parallel Census Coverage Survey sampled around 335,000 households to estimate undercount, achieving a 90% response rate and informing adjustments for an estimated 6.1% non-response. Overall, the operation achieved response levels comparable to or better than 2001, validating the hybrid approach's effectiveness despite logistical challenges in diverse terrains and populations.

Scotland Operations

The 2011 census in was executed by the National Records of Scotland (NRS), which managed data collection and processing independently for the first time, distinct from the joint UK arrangements of 2001. Census day occurred on 27 March 2011, a selected to capture typical resident populations, including those temporarily away. Questionnaire distribution began on 7 March 2011, targeting approximately 2.5 million households, with forms designed to enumerate usual residents on census night. Distribution relied primarily on field operations, with enumerators hand-delivering 95% of questionnaires door-to-door, while 5% (around 145,000 forms) were mailed via in remote rural areas to optimize efficiency. Collection methods included a novel online portal, accessible from 7 March to 20 April 2011, alongside traditional paper returns using pre-paid envelopes. Initial returns reached 74% before systematic follow-up, conducted by enumerators from 6 to 25 April 2011, with non-response pursuits extending to 14 June 2011; an additional 1% of forms were gathered post-follow-up. Over 6 million questionnaires and envelopes were produced in a five-stage process from June 2010 to January 2011 to support these . Field operations employed nearly 7,000 temporary staff, coordinated by 22 regional managers across 169 census districts. Core roles included 5,700 to 5,732 enumerators for delivery and retrieval, and 507 census team leaders for communal establishments such as prisons, hospitals, and accommodations, which posed challenges due to incomplete lists and variable workloads. Enumerator required a second campaign to meet targets, with training provided by NRS to ensure procedural adherence. A helpline operated from 7 to 21 2011, peaking at 300 calls per hour, supplemented by a website for extra forms and guidance. The operation yielded an overall response rate of 93.76%, with approximately 20% of returns submitted online, reflecting adoption of the digital innovation amid broader trends toward declining survey participation. Rates varied regionally, reaching 96.4% in the but only 89% in , influenced by urban density and hard-to-count groups like migrants and multi-address residents. Key challenges encompassed societal mobility complicating usual residence identification, second homes, and populations, alongside operational strains from peak demands and communal site complexities; a minor call linked to a contractor's alleged ties did not materially impact aggregate returns. Total costs spanned £63.5 million from to 2015, finishing £1.6 million under projections. Data processing concluded by 23 September 2011, enabling initial outputs from December 2012 despite some delays.

Northern Ireland Operations

The 2011 census in was executed by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), operating independently from the censuses in . The census occurred on Sunday, 27 March 2011, capturing data on the resident population through a primarily paper-based system. Enumerators delivered questionnaires to every household across beginning in mid-March 2011, employing a post-out/post-back model supplemented by fieldwork for non-response cases. Households completed forms detailing residents present on census night and returned them via post or designated collection points, with an online submission option available but limited in uptake compared to . Special procedures applied to communal establishments, where dedicated enumerators collected responses directly. Field operations involved and of enumerators to manage delivery, collection, and follow-up visits, achieving a 94% household response rate and 92% response rate after targeted non-response interventions. Post-enumeration evaluations by NISRA confirmed the effectiveness of these efforts, identifying improvements in logistics and data capture for future censuses, while noting challenges such as geographic coverage in rural areas. The entire operation spanned a decade, from initial legislative preparations under the Census Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 through to data processing and quality assurance.

Data Collection and Response

Enumeration Techniques and Logistics

The 2011 United Kingdom census utilized a hybrid enumeration approach centered on self-completion by members, marking the first nationwide implementation of submission alongside traditional questionnaires. Questionnaires captured for all usual residents and visitors on census night, 27 March 2011, with provisions for individuals at multiple addresses or temporarily absent. Logistics involved extensive preparation, including printing over six million forms in alone and recruitment of thousands of temporary field staff across jurisdictions, coordinated through devolved agencies: the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for , National Records of Scotland (NRS) for , and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) for . In , the primary method shifted toward a post-out/post-back model using a national address register for targeted distribution, reducing reliance on enumerators compared to 2001. Approximately 27 million questionnaires were mailed to addresses, each including a unique access code for optional online completion via a secure portal; paper returns were posted back using prepaid envelopes. Follow-up operations deployed targeted teams to low-response areas, supported by field staff, call centers for issuing replacements and handling queries, and real-time monitoring via electronic systems to direct resources. Enumerators focused on communal establishments, hard-to-count groups, and non-response visits, ensuring coverage through face-to-face assistance where needed. Scotland retained a more traditional householder enumeration with enumerator-led delivery and collection for most areas. Of 2.49 million questionnaires, 95% were hand-delivered door-to-door by 5,732 enumerators between late and early 2011, using pre-printed personalized forms from an address list; the remaining 5% were posted to remote locations like islands. Completion options included paper submission via post or enumerator handover, with about 20% opting for online entry through the scotlandscensus.gov.uk portal from 7 to 20 . Enumerators, organized under 507 team leaders and district managers, conducted follow-up visits from 6 to 25 for non-respondents, performed completeness checks, and managed communal establishments separately with dedicated record books. A (0300 123 1702) and facilitated additional form requests. Northern Ireland adopted a multi-mode self-enumeration strategy similar to , mailing access-coded questionnaires to households via the POINTER address database, enabling 15% online returns amid 71% household . Paper forms supported postal returns, supplemented by face-to-face enumerator interviews for coverage in challenging areas. Logistics emphasized initial mailed contact, with enumerator mobile devices for real-time verification and joint operations with ONS, including follow-ups to boost participation. Across jurisdictions, innovations like online portals reduced public burden and aimed to improve accuracy, though paper remained dominant; logistical challenges included secure transport of forms, staff training for over 7,000 temporary workers in , and reconciliation phases post-collection to account for all returns by late April 2011.

Achieved Response Rates and Follow-Up Efforts

The 2011 Census across the United Kingdom achieved high response rates, surpassing pre-set targets in and , though with variations by local authority. In , the Office for National Statistics reported an overall response rate exceeding the 94% target, with person-level rates ranging from 82% to 98% across local authorities. 's National Records of Scotland recorded a national response rate of 94%, with at 89% and all other local authorities above 90%. Northern Ireland's coverage assessment indicated an undercount of about 4.7%, aligning with 2001 levels, reflecting effective but imperfect enumeration amid similar jurisdictional challenges. Follow-up efforts emphasized reminders and field interventions to address non-response. Households received mailed questionnaires on census day, March 27, 2011, followed by reminder letters for non-returns; in , approximately 29,000 collectors conducted door-to-door visits to assist with completion and retrieve forms. These activities generated around 20,000 refusal reports UK-wide, most resolved through rather than enforcement, with only select cases pursued for prosecution to maintain compliance without undue coercion. The option for online submission, a novelty for 2011, facilitated quicker returns and targeted outreach to hard-to-reach groups, contributing to elevated rates compared to 2001. Targeted campaigns in urban and transient areas, informed by 2001 undercounts, further mitigated risks of localized shortfalls.

Factors Influencing Participation

Participation in the 2011 United Kingdom Census was shaped by legal mandates, operational innovations, and demographic challenges, resulting in an overall household response rate of over 94% in , with person-level rates varying from 82% to 98% across local authorities. The Census Acts for each enforced compulsory completion, backed by fines up to £1,000 for non-compliance, which provided a strong incentive against deliberate refusal. Extensive pre-census publicity, including national advertising campaigns, multilingual materials, and partnerships with local councils and community organizations, boosted awareness and addressed potential reluctance, particularly in where stakeholder intelligence contributed to high enumeration success. Methodological changes, such as the optional online submission portal—used by 16% of households in —improved accessibility for tech-enabled respondents, correlating with higher uptake in younger, urban demographics. questionnaire delivery and follow-up visits by enumerators mitigated logistical barriers like missed addresses, though non-return of forms remained a primary cause of undercoverage. In , similar field operations by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ensured comparable engagement, with response supported by targeted outreach in diverse communities. Demographic and socio-economic factors disproportionately affected participation, with "hard-to-count" groups including recent migrants, ethnic minorities, students in temporary accommodation, and individuals in high-mobility urban areas like exhibiting elevated non-response. These populations faced barriers such as language issues, distrust of government data collection, and transient lifestyles, leading to underrepresentation that necessitated post-enumeration coverage surveys for adjustment. conditions also correlated with lower response, potentially introducing bias in health-related estimates. Item non-response rates, averaging under 2% for core demographics but higher for sensitive topics like (up to 5% in some groups), further highlighted selective patterns. Official evaluations from the Office for National Statistics and equivalents confirmed these influences through analysis of 2001 precedents and 2011 field data, underscoring the role of targeted interventions in achieving the census's coverage targets.

Quality Assurance and Adjustments

Coverage Surveys and Undercount Estimation

The Census Coverage Survey (CCS) for England and Wales sampled approximately 320,000 households across 16,500 postcodes, conducted as an independent, interviewer-led exercise over four weeks beginning six weeks after Census Day on 27 March 2011. The sample prioritized hard-to-count areas via an index incorporating factors such as high proportions of Black, Asian, or mixed-ethnicity residents, private renters, single-person households, and individuals aged 23–34. Household response reached 87.3 percent, with data matched to census records using probabilistic and clerical methods to inform dual systems estimation (DSE). DSE quantified undercount by estimating the census-to-CCS capture overlap, adjusting for imputation errors and overcounts (e.g., duplicates), resulting in a net person undercount implying a 94 percent overall census response rate. In , the CCS targeted around 40,000 , stratified by a hard-to-count index and yielding an 87 percent response rate, with approximately 94 percent of respondents matched to records. Undercount followed DSE principles, incorporating alternative estimates to correct for biases in placeholders and communal establishments (e.g., adding 2,178 persons in small establishments via DSE and 3,936 in larger ones after verification). This produced a net response rate of 96 percent, lower than the initial raw enumeration but adjusted upward for under-enumeration. Northern Ireland employed a complementary quality survey covering about 2 percent of households alongside a Under-Enumeration Project, confirming census returns from 94 percent of households and 92 percent of individuals. Undercount was estimated at approximately 5 percent, akin to the 4.7 percent in 2001, using matching studies and administrative checks rather than a full DSE equivalent, with net response at 95 percent. Across jurisdictions, undercount estimates were generalized from CCS samples to non-surveyed areas via estimation areas and modeling, then added to adjusted census counts (net of overcounts under 0.1 percent) to derive final population totals. These processes prioritized empirical matching over demographic assumptions, though small-area variations persisted due to heterogeneous non-response patterns.

Adjustment Methodologies and Statistical Rigor

The adjustment methodologies for the 2011 United Kingdom relied on post-enumeration Coverage Surveys (CCS) conducted independently in each jurisdiction to underenumeration, with statistical techniques including dual-system (DSE) augmented by ratio and small-area modeling to derive population adjustments. In , the Office for National Statistics (ONS) implemented a comprehensive Coverage Assessment and Adjustment (CAA) process, sampling approximately 320,000 households (0.7% of the total) for the CCS between April and July 2011, which captured data on individuals missed by the proper. DSE formed the core, calculating undercount as the difference between matched -CCS overlaps and independent captures, yielding a national undercount of 4.1% for persons after accounting for overcount in communal establishments and imputations. This was refined via ratio to correlate CCS undercounts with observable characteristics (e.g., age, sex, ethnicity), mitigating correlation biases between sources, and apportioned to local authorities using models in a small-area framework that borrowed strength across similar areas via . Statistical rigor in incorporated multiple validation layers, including cross-checks against administrative records such as GP registrations and school enrollments to assess plausibility, with sensitivity analyses quantifying uncertainty from model assumptions like independence in DSE (violated by shared non-response factors such as mobility among young adults and ethnic minorities). Adjustments added an estimated 913,000 persons to the initial count of 56.1 million, producing final usual resident estimates of 56.99 million, with output areas below 100 residents receiving synthetic adjustments to prevent disclosure risks while preserving aggregate accuracy. The methodology evolved from the 2001 One Number , emphasizing transparency through published variance estimates and peer-reviewed evaluations, though critics noted potential over-reliance on parametric assumptions in small-area models, which could amplify errors in sparse data regions like rural wards. In Scotland, the National Records of Scotland (NRS) employed a CCS sampling 34,000 households (about 1.5% coverage) and estimated a 5.6% undercount via DSE, but opted against database-wide adjustments, publishing unadjusted census counts of 5.3 million as official estimates while providing synthetic adjustment factors for user application in demographic analysis. Targeted corrections addressed identified biases, such as undercounts in communal establishments via administrative cross-matches, and a robust synthetic estimator prorated national undercount to local levels using regression on CCS-census ratios calibrated to 2001 patterns. Rigor was maintained through consistency checks with vital registration data and plausibility assessments, avoiding full adjustment to preserve the integrity of raw enumeration amid concerns over DSE dependency assumptions in a smaller population. Northern Ireland's Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) mirrored by fully integrating CAA, with a CCS of 12,000 households estimating a 3.3% undercount after DSE and ratio refinements, leading to adjusted totals of 1.82 million residents from an initial 1.78 million. Small-area apportionment used area-level models incorporating covariate data from the , validated against and administrative sources, with emphasis on ethnic and migrant subgroups showing higher non-response (e.g., 10-15% undercounts). Across jurisdictions, methodological harmonization was pursued via joint research on disclosure control and bias evaluation, but decisions on adjustment reflected jurisdictional priorities, with overall rigor evidenced by reduced undercount variance from (e.g., 6.1% to 4.1% in ) and documented uncertainty intervals in outputs.

Evaluations of Data Accuracy and Bias

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) evaluated the accuracy of the 2011 Census for through multiple methods, including the Census Coverage Survey (CCS), which sampled over 320,000 households to estimate net undercount via dual-system estimation, and the Census Quality Survey (CQS), which validated self-reported data against independent sources. The CCS indicated a response rate of 93.9% initially, with approximately 3.8 million individuals initially unaccounted for, though net coverage error—accounting for both undercount and overcount—was assessed as low enough (within ±0.15% for total , or ±83,000 people) that ONS opted against statistical adjustment of outputs, deeming unadjusted counts sufficiently reliable compared to the 2001 Census's ±0.21% interval. This decision contrasted with 2001 adjustments for a 3-6% undercount, reflecting improved techniques like online and postal returns, though it drew criticism for potentially leaving residual errors in high-mobility areas unaddressed. Quality assurance also involved linking census records to administrative datasets (e.g., , , and benefit records) for over 90% of returns, revealing high consistency for objective variables like (99.7% CQS agreement) but lower for subjective ones like economic activity (around 70-80% agreement), indicating potential recall or interpretation errors. Item non-response was minimal for core demographics (e.g., 0.4% for , 1.2% for age) but higher for migration intent (14.5%), with imputation applied to maintain completeness; however, this process assumed random missingness, which may not hold for non-respondents skewed toward transient populations such as recent immigrants or young renters. In and , analogous coverage surveys estimated undercounts of 5.6% and 3.3% respectively, with adjustments applied locally but not nationally, highlighting methodological variations across jurisdictions that could introduce comparative biases in UK-wide aggregates. Self-reported categories like and exhibited validation challenges, with CQS re-interviews showing 85-90% consistency for ethnicity but risks of strategic over-reporting in religion (e.g., nominal affiliation without practice) due to question sequencing that listed major faiths first, potentially biasing toward cultural rather than active identification. Non-response bias was evident in under-representation of ethnic minorities and non-UK born (who comprised 13.4% of the population but showed higher CCS non-contact rates), correlating with socioeconomic factors like deprivation and mobility, which administrative linkages confirmed amplified undercounts in urban centers by up to 2-3% locally. Critics, including local authorities in areas like (estimating a 22,000-person undercount), argued that unadjusted data underestimated population growth from , leading to discrepancies with mid-year estimates revised upward by 464,000 post-census, though ONS countered that CCS dual-system estimates aligned closely enough to validate raw counts without over-reliance on potentially flawed administrative proxies. Overall, while empirical metrics affirmed high aggregate accuracy—97% of local authorities within ±3% confidence—residual biases from differential non-response in dynamic demographics (e.g., 1.5-2 times higher undercount for males aged 20-29 and /African groups) underscored limitations in capturing rapid societal shifts, with independent reviews noting that reliance on self-classification without robust third-party verification could distort policy-relevant inferences on integration or resource needs.

Financial Aspects

Total Costs Incurred

The 2011 census across the incurred total costs estimated at approximately £570.5 million, reflecting separate operational expenditures by the responsible statistical authorities in each constituent country. These figures encompass pre-census planning, questionnaire design, enumeration fieldwork, data capture and processing, , and post-enumeration dissemination activities spanning roughly a decade from initial preparations through to final outputs. Funding was provided through central government budgets allocated to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for , National Records of Scotland (NRS) for , and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) for , with no cross-subsidization between jurisdictions. In , the largest component, ONS reported a total expenditure of £482 million in cash terms over the period from 2004/05 to 2015/16. This included fixed costs for such as IT systems for data handling and variable expenses like enumerator recruitment and training, with peak outlays during the 2010–11 and 2011–12 field operation phases. The cost equated to under £1 per person annually when amortized over the decade-plus lifecycle and the population of approximately 56 million. Scotland's census, managed by NRS, totaled £63.5 million for the decade from 2005–06 to 2014–15, covering a population of about 5.3 million. This encompassed adaptations for devolved priorities, such as enhanced ethnic group questioning, alongside standard logistics like postal questionnaire distribution and follow-up visits. Northern Ireland's operations, under NISRA, amounted to £25 million, serving a population of roughly 1.8 million and incorporating security considerations for cross-border data comparability with the Republic of Ireland. Costs here emphasized fieldwork in a smaller geographic area but with intensive coverage surveys to estimate under-enumeration. These aggregates exclude indirect costs such as local authority administrative support or volunteer contributions but represent direct outlays verified through post-census audits. Variations in reporting periods and methodologies preclude exact aggregation without adjustment for or shared UK-wide elements like initial design consultations, though such overlaps were minimal given devolved execution.

Economic Valuation and Benefit Assessments

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) conducted a benefits evaluation for the 2011 Census, estimating an annual economic benefit of £500 million through methodologies including direct user estimates, willingness-to-pay assessments (e.g., proxying research costs avoided), cost savings from reduced need for alternative surveys, and contribution analysis attributing a proportion of decision values to census data usage. These valuations drew on , such as focus groups and surveys with users in public and private sectors, to quantify impacts like welfare gains from optimal (e.g., 0.015%-0.053% improvements in funding distribution) and efficiency in service planning. In the public sector, quantified benefits included £125 million annually from improved local government grant allocations, £70 million in avoided annual efficiency losses for broader public spending, £10.8 million per year for transport infrastructure schemes, and £8-122 million yearly for local authority operations, with a one-time £800 million gain from accurate health funding distribution in the first year post-census. Central government benefits encompassed policy research proxies and evidence-based investment decisions, where delays in data availability could incur substantial costs. Private sector valuations totaled around £70 million annually for data resellers, financial services, and housing consultants, plus £20-80 million (central estimate £50 million) for retail site selection and investment, based on census data contributing approximately 1% to £8.7 billion in annual retail investments. Overall, the ONS's 2014 reassessment pegged total annual benefits at £490 million, yielding a of just over one year against the census's £482 million cost, with a 2007 projecting £945 million undiscounted (or £720 million discounted) over the 2012/13-2021/22 . Benefits realization was evidenced by early data releases in July 2012, enhanced accessibility via online tools and infographics, and case studies from users like the , retailers (e.g., for store planning), and charities, demonstrating applications in investment targeting and service delivery. Unquantified benefits encompassed policy formulation, social cohesion analyses (e.g., via and data), public health planning, equality impact assessments, and commercial innovations such as mobile network optimization, which were not monetized due to methodological challenges but supported broader societal and economic decision-making. Methods aligned with international practices from bodies like but relied on user self-reports and assumptions about data substitutability, potentially subject to in benefit attribution.

Critiques of Fiscal Efficiency and Taxpayer Burden

The 2011 Census for incurred costs of £482 million, more than double the £207 million expended on the 2001 Census, imposing a substantial burden on taxpayers through public funding. This escalation drew criticism for inefficiencies in the traditional decennial model, which required extensive planning over years and relied on paper-based and initial online collection methods prone to logistical challenges. Critics argued that the format yielded diminishing returns relative to alternatives, such as leveraging existing administrative records from government departments, which could provide similar demographic insights at lower expense. Public and political discourse highlighted concerns over fiscal efficiency, with both major parties questioning the value for money amid broader austerity measures post-2008 . A 2011 poll reflected divided opinions, with some local authorities warning that perceived high costs and potential inaccuracies could indirectly exacerbate taxpayer burdens by skewing future resource allocations, such as grants tied to estimates. Proponents of , including figures in media and policy circles, contended that the census's comprehensive scope—encompassing intrusive questions on personal details—did not justify the outlay when targeted surveys or could suffice for policy needs. The Office for National Statistics estimated annual benefits at £489.5 million, marginally exceeding costs through applications in and service planning; however, skeptics challenged these valuations as optimistic, noting unquantified risks like undercount adjustments and the of snapshot data within a decade. This prompted the subsequent Beyond 2011 Programme to explore cost-effective hybrids, underscoring admissions that the full-scale strained public finances without proportional innovation in efficiency. Overall, the exercise exemplified tensions between statistical comprehensiveness and fiscal prudence, with the taxpayer-funded model facing scrutiny for not adapting swiftly to digital and administrative advancements available by 2011.

Controversies

Calls for Boycotts and Demographic Non-Response

Calls for boycotting the 2011 census in centered on opposition to for National Statistics awarding a to Lockheed Martin, a U.S.-based arms manufacturer involved in the UK's nuclear program and other military projects. Campaign groups such as the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) argued that entrusting to a company with such ties posed ethical and security risks, urging non-compliance despite potential £1,000 fines and criminal records for refusal. Local protests occurred, including in , where activists publicly refused to participate, citing Lockheed Martin's profiteering from taxpayer-funded census operations. The scale of these boycott efforts remained limited, with campaigners acknowledging risks of distorting demographic data essential for public services; the , after deliberation, declined to endorse a full to prevent undercounting that could harm . Historical precedents, such as refusals in the 2001 census over contractor links to data handling, informed these 2011 calls, though prosecutions were rare—only 38 out of 6,100 refusals in the prior census led to legal action. No widespread organized s emerged in or , where different contractors were used and past controversies over firms like had not escalated similarly for 2011. Household non-response rates for the 2011 census in reached approximately 6%, yielding an overall response rate of 93.9%, with non-responding households targeted via follow-up fieldwork including non-compliance interviews. for National Statistics employed a Hard-to-Count (HTC) classification system to predict and address elevated non-response in areas characterized by factors such as high deprivation, population mobility, and , allocating extra resources to these locales. While specific demographic breakdowns of non-response were not publicly detailed in aggregate form, patterns aligned with prior censuses, showing higher undercounts among transient groups like students and recent migrants, as evidenced by local concerns in areas such as , where an estimated 22,000-person undercount was anticipated due to such populations. Boycott-related refusals contributed negligibly to overall non-response, as activist participation was confined to small ideological subsets rather than broad demographic segments.

Disputes Over Data Interpretation and Political Use

The 2011 census revealed a population increase of 3.7 million in England and Wales between 2001 and 2011, reaching 56.1 million, with the Office for National Statistics attributing 45% of this growth to revisions in the 2001 baseline data and the remainder primarily to underestimation of net international migration in interim estimates. This adjustment sparked debates over the reliability of migration forecasts, as pre-census mid-year estimates had projected slower growth, leading critics to argue that official statistics failed to capture the pace of demographic change driven by post-2004 EU enlargement and non-EU inflows. Politicians, particularly from the Conservative Party, cited the revised figures to critique preceding Labour government policies, framing the 7.5 million foreign-born residents (13% of the population) as evidence of unmanaged immigration that strained public services without adequate planning. Ethnic composition data, showing White British at 80.5% nationally but a minority (44.9%) in , fueled interpretations of "" and segregation patterns, with analysts noting higher internal migration rates among from diverse urban areas to less mixed suburbs or rural regions. Such findings were politically leveraged in discussions on integration, with some commentators portraying rapid diversification—evidenced by non-White British rising to 14%—as a challenge to social cohesion, while others emphasized economic contributions of migrants. These interpretations influenced policy rhetoric, including calls for tighter controls, though empirical links between census metrics and outcomes like or required cautious analysis beyond raw proportions, as correlation with area-level diversity did not uniformly predict negative effects. Religious affiliation results, voluntary and unanswered by 7.4% in , indicated at 59.3% (down from 71.7% in ) and "no religion" at 25.2%, prompting disputes over . Advocacy groups like , through their Census Campaign, claimed the "no religion" figure understated irreligiosity due to habitual cultural identification with despite low practice, urging respondents to affirm non-belief accurately; this effort contributed to the observed rise but was contested by religious organizations arguing the question captured nominal affiliation relevant for community funding and policy. Politically, the data informed debates on faith-based services and the Church of England's role, with secularists using it to advocate reduced religious privileges in public life, while others highlighted stable minority faiths (e.g., at 4.8%) to justify multicultural accommodations. Beyond demographic specifics, census outputs were applied to redistribute £150 billion annually in public spending and redraw parliamentary boundaries, eliciting criticism that growth in immigrant-concentrated locales inflated allocations to urban authorities at the expense of stagnant rural areas, potentially entrenching political incentives for high migration. Interpretive variances arose in linking to causal impacts, as aggregate trends masked local heterogeneities, with some analyses prioritizing self-reported identity over objective measures like birthplace for gauging integration. These uses underscored tensions between data-driven and electoral strategy, though no formal challenges overturned allocations based on 2011 figures.

Concerns Regarding Privacy, Security, and Misuse

The involvement of US defense contractor in processing data for elicited widespread concerns over and potential foreign access. Campaigners highlighted the company's government contracts and past data-handling controversies, arguing that information could be subpoenaed under the , bypassing privacy laws and exposing respondents to extraterritorial risks. These fears prompted calls from anti-arms trade groups, who viewed the £30 million contract—awarded despite domestic alternatives—as prioritizing cost over in handling sensitive personal details like , , and composition. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) countered with a Privacy Impact Assessment that identified personal data privacy as the primary risk, implementing mitigations such as , during transmission to Lockheed's secure facilities, and contractual prohibitions on data export without approval. An Independent Review Team evaluated these protocols, affirming compliance with the Census Act 1920's 100-year confidentiality pledge barring individual record disclosure for non-statistical uses, though critics noted the assessment's reliance on self-reported safeguards from a firm with a history of cybersecurity lapses in other projects. Security vulnerabilities surfaced amid claims of external breaches, including a June 2011 assertion by hacker collective of obtaining the full database, which fueled public anxiety over unpatched systems during online submissions—the first such option for the . ONS investigations found no evidence of compromised personal records, attributing the incident to potential test data or fabrication, but the episode underscored risks in transitioning to digital processing without prior large-scale penetration testing. Re-identification risks prompted intruder testing on aggregated outputs, where simulated outsiders attempted to link anonymized tables to individuals using public knowledge; results indicated low disclosure probability after applying controls like cell suppression for counts under 10, though demand for granular heightened attribute disclosure debates. Misuse apprehensions extended to potential administrative repurposing, with a challenge in 2012 questioning inadequate safeguards against compelled via intrusive queries on finances and health, though the claim was ultimately dismissed on statutory grounds. Statutory protections under the Census Acts limited to statistical aggregation, prohibiting access except via separate warrants, yet skeptics cited historical precedents of wartime leveraging to argue against over-reliance on legal assurances amid evolving capabilities.

Publication and Dissemination

Release Schedules and Phased Outputs

The 2011 Census data releases were structured in phases across the United Kingdom's constituent nations, prioritizing timeliness for core estimates while allowing time for and disclosure control. This approach balanced user demands for rapid access to headline figures with the need to ensure statistical quality and compliance with protocols. Initial outputs focused on aggregate and counts, followed by progressively detailed thematic datasets covering demographics, , , and other variables. Releases for and commenced earlier than for , reflecting differences in processing timelines and administrative arrangements. For , the Office for National Statistics issued the first outputs on 16 July 2012, comprising usually resident estimates by five-year age bands and sex at national, regional, and local authority levels, alongside and communal establishment totals. Subsequent phases delivered quick statistics on demographics (e.g., , , migration status) in November 2012, key statistics integrating multiple variables in October 2013, and specialized themes such as health, education, and industry through 2014. followed a parallel schedule via the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, with initial and estimates released on the same date, 16 July 2012, and detailed characteristics (e.g., 207 tables on demographics and ) phased across four sub-releases from May to November 2013. Scotland's National Records of Scotland adopted a distinct timetable, with the first estimates published on 17 December 2012 as Release 1A, providing usual resident totals by age and sex. This was followed by Release 1B in March 2013 and Release 1C (finalizing initial and household data) on 23 July 2013. Later phases aligned partially with -wide harmonization efforts but extended into 2014 for topics like transport and qualifications. The initial divergence in Scottish releases stemmed from extended data processing to address potential undercoverage, though core outputs remained comparable across nations. The inaugural integrated estimate, drawing from all three censuses, was issued on 17 December 2012, pegging the total at 63,182,000. By mid-2014, over 200 standard tables per nation had been disseminated, with custom and bulk data products available for advanced analysis. This phased strategy facilitated iterative improvements, such as adjustments for imputation and disclosure risk, ensuring outputs met National Statistics quality standards while minimizing delays beyond 18-24 months post-.

Data Formats, Accessibility, and Customization

The 2011 United Kingdom data were released in multiple formats to facilitate both automated processing and manual analysis, with CSV emerging as the primary format for bulk datasets across , enabling direct loading into statistical software and databases by users familiar with programming interfaces. Excel files were provided for table indices, summaries, and commissioned outputs, supporting spreadsheet-based exploration, while microdata taster files—public samples of anonymized individual records—were distributed in CSV for educational and preliminary research purposes. Geographic boundary data accompanying census outputs, such as output areas and local authority districts, were available in digital vector formats compatible with GIS software, though not explicitly shapefiles in core releases. For and , formats mirrored this approach, with NRS and NISRA offering Excel-compatible tables and CSV downloads for aggregate statistics, alongside PDF for key reports and infographics. Accessibility was structured around open online portals managed by devolved statistical authorities, ensuring no-cost public downloads without registration for , while Nomis—a joint platform integrating outputs from ONS, NRS, and NISRA—served as a central hub for -wide queries via its table finder tool, allowing selection across hundreds of datasets covering topics like , , and migration. Bulk CSV products were optimized for rather than desktop viewing, with ONS providing phased releases through its data catalogue for , encompassing over 100 table types browsable by geography and theme. Secure microdata samples (1% or 10% anonymized individual records) required approved researcher access via the Data Service or agency-specific protocols to protect confidentiality, contrasting with open available immediately post-release from 2012 onward. In , NRS hosted downloads through Scotland's interfaces, and NISRA offered similar portal-based access for , including table lookups for custom reference. Customization options emphasized flexibility for advanced users, including a commissioned table service launched by ONS in April 2013 for , enabling requests for bespoke combinations of user-specified areas, topics, and variables not covered in standard outputs, subject to disclosure controls and fees for complex queries. Nomis supported semi-custom workflows by permitting filters on geographies (e.g., output areas to nations) and cross-tabulations, generating on-demand CSV exports, while ad hoc table requests extended this to non-standard aggregations. Equivalent services existed in via NRS's data zones and in through NISRA's tailored outputs, ensuring alignment with statistical standards but adapted to regional needs; however, all custom products adhered to strict suppression rules to prevent individual identification, limiting granularity in sparse areas.

Integration into Administrative and Research Uses

The 2011 Census data served as a cornerstone for administrative decision-making in the United Kingdom, informing resource allocation and service planning across central and local government levels. Central government incorporated population estimates and demographic characteristics into funding formulae, underpinning the distribution of billions of pounds annually through mechanisms such as the Revenue Support Grant to local councils and health authorities. Local authorities utilized the data to forecast demand for public services; for instance, Hampshire County Council applied population projections by age to ensure adequate school places, while West Midlands authorities analyzed journey-to-work patterns to optimize public transport and traffic management. Additional applications included targeting energy efficiency programs based on housing tenure and demographics, budgeting for elderly support initiatives such as gardening schemes in Leeds (which allocated £35,000 for independence-promoting projects), and emergency planning for populations in flood-risk areas. The Metropolitan Police, for example, mapped crime hotspots using age and housing data to reduce burglaries against the elderly in areas like Bromley. In policy integration, the census outputs contributed to legislative developments, such as informing the 's provisions on carers' health by highlighting household composition and dependency trends. Local councils also leveraged the data for funding bids, as seen in Herefordshire's successful applications for supported housing and multi-sport facilities in deprived areas using demographic insights. Overall, these integrations yielded an estimated annual economic benefit of £500 million through cost savings, improved efficiency, and informed investments, as evaluated by the via willingness-to-pay and contribution analyses conducted between 2012 and 2014. For research purposes, the 2011 Census enabled granular analyses through anonymized microdata samples, allowing academics and statisticians to explore relationships not feasible with aggregate outputs alone, such as detailed correlations between , migration, and outcomes. By early 2015, over 800 datasets comprising 8.2 billion cells had been produced, supporting more than 70 peer-reviewed articles on topics including labor market dynamics and population mobility. Linkage initiatives further expanded utility, with census records probabilistically matched to administrative to facilitate longitudinal studies on , welfare, and trajectories, enhancing causal inferences in policy-relevant while adhering to protocols. These applications underscored the 's role as a benchmark for validating administrative sources and modeling socioeconomic trends.

Principal Findings

Population Size, Growth, and Distribution

The 2011 Census enumerated a total usual resident population of 63,182,178 for the as of 27 March 2011. This figure marked an increase of 4,392,984 people, or 7.5%, over the 58,789,194 recorded in the 2001 Census, with growth varying by constituent country: saw a 7.7% rise from 52,041,916 to 56,075,912; a 5.0% increase from 5,062,011 to 5,295,403; and a 7.5% gain from 1,685,267 to 1,811,244. Population distribution reflected the dominance of , which accounted for 84% of the UK total (53,012,456 residents), followed by at 8.4% (5,295,403), at 4.9% (3,063,456), and at 2.9% (1,811,244). Within , the population concentrated in the southeast, with alone housing 8,173,941 residents (15.4% of 's total), while more peripheral regions like the North East had 2,440,911. Urban areas overall predominated, comprising over 80% of the , driven by historical industrialization and economic opportunities in conurbations such as (2,553,379) and West Midlands (2,440,986). Growth disparities highlighted regional dynamics, with England's southeast regions expanding faster due to internal migration and international inflows, contrasting slower increases in Scotland's rural . Northern Ireland's uniform 7.5% growth occurred across districts, though Belfast's urban core grew disproportionately. These patterns underscored a broader trend of densification in established urban centers, with the average at 259 persons per square kilometer, but exceeding 1,000 in and parts of the southeast. The 2011 census revealed a diverse ethnic composition across the United Kingdom, with England and Wales showing the greatest variation due to higher immigration levels. In England and Wales, 80.5% of the 56.1 million usual residents identified as White British, comprising 45.1 million people, while 4.4% identified as Other White, 2.3% as Indian, 2.0% as Pakistani, 1.0% as Black Caribbean, 1.1% as Black African, and smaller shares for other groups, totaling 14% non-White British. In Scotland, 96% of the 5.3 million population identified as White, predominantly Scottish or Other British, with Asian groups at 2.3%; Northern Ireland's 1.8 million residents were 96.6% White, mainly Irish or British. UK-wide, the White population stood at approximately 87%, reflecting regional homogeneity outside England. From 2001 to 2011, ethnic diversity increased markedly, driven by net migration and differential birth rates. The share in fell from 87.5% to 80.5%, with non-White groups doubling in absolute numbers to about 7.7 million, particularly among Black African (up 82%) and Pakistani (up 43%) populations. This shift concentrated in urban areas, where ’s proportion dropped to 44.9% from 59.8%. and saw minimal changes, with White shares declining less than 1%. Religious affiliation also shifted toward secularization. In England and Wales, 59.3% (33.2 million) identified as Christian, down from 71.7% in 2001, while 25.1% reported no religion, up from 14.8%; Muslims comprised 4.9% (2.7 million), Hindus 1.5%, and Sikhs 0.8%. Scotland mirrored this with 53.8% Christian and 36.7% no religion; Northern Ireland remained more religious, with 48.0% Catholic, 45.1% Protestant or other Christian, and 10.1% other/none. The decline in Christian identification correlated with younger age cohorts and higher non-UK birth rates among non-Christians. Age and sex structures indicated an aging with slight female majority. UK-wide, females were 51.5% of 63.2 million residents, with median age rising to 39.5 years from 38.0 in ; the 65+ group grew 18% to 9.3 million, while under-16s fell 6%. Ethnic minorities skewed younger, with median ages for Pakistani (28 years) and Black African (30 years) groups half that of (42 years). Migration trends underscored composition changes, with 13.4% of residents (7.5 million) foreign-born, up from 8.9% in 2001, primarily from , , , and . Over half of these arrivals occurred post-2001, contributing to 87% of population growth in . Scotland and had lower foreign-born shares at 7.0% and 11.2%, respectively, but still rising. This influx, alongside higher among immigrant groups, amplified diversity trends.

Socioeconomic and Cultural Insights

The 2011 Census revealed significant variations in across the , with 40.6% of working-age adults (aged 16-64) in holding qualifications at (NQF) Level 4 or above, up from 29.7% in 2001, reflecting expanded access to higher education amid economic recovery from the 2008 recession. Conversely, 9.0% reported no qualifications, concentrated in deprived areas and among older cohorts, underscoring persistent skill gaps that correlated with lower economic activity rates of 76.3% for this group compared to 88.5% for those with higher qualifications. In , similar trends emerged, with 26% of the population holding degree-level qualifications, while showed 34.1% with higher education attainment, though regional disparities highlighted higher in post-industrial zones. Employment patterns, classified via the (NS-SEC), indicated that 42% of the workforce fell into higher or lower managerial/professional roles, driven by service sector growth, while 12% were in routine occupations, often linked to decline. Home ownership stood at 64% of households in (14.9 million), with outright ownership at 30% among older households, but tenure shifted toward private renting (15%), signaling affordability pressures in urban centers like where overcrowding affected 7.7% of households. Across the , economic inactivity affected 22% of working-age residents, disproportionately impacting women (27%) and those in routine/semi-routine jobs, with Northern Ireland's 66% economic activity rate reflecting slower post-conflict labor integration. Culturally, the census captured a decline in Christian identification to 59.3% in (33.2 million people), down from 71.7% in 2001, with "no religion" rising to 25.2%, particularly among younger adults under 25 (33% non-religious), indicative of uncorrelated with but stronger in urban areas. Muslim affiliation grew to 4.8% (2.7 million), concentrated among Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups, while Hindu (1.5%) and Sikh (0.8%) populations reflected South Asian patterns. Ethnic composition showed 80.5% identifying as in , with Asian (7.5%), Black (3.3%), and Mixed (2.2%) groups comprising the remainder, variations driven by post-2004 EU migration and . National identity responses highlighted regional distinctiveness, with 62% in claiming solely Scottish identity and 18% dual Scottish-British, amid devolution's influence on self-perception independent of birthplace. In , 48% identified as Protestant and 45% Catholic, shaping community divisions more than ethnicity alone, while saw 57.7% English-only identity. The census's inclusion of "Cornish" as a option yielded 83,000 responses in , affirming sub-national attachments not captured in prior surveys. Language data indicated 99% English proficiency in , but 1.7% (726,000) reported main languages like Polish or Punjabi, correlating with recent migrant clusters in labor-intensive sectors.
Religious GroupEngland and Wales (%)Scotland (%)Northern Ireland (%)
Christian59.353.848.0 (Protestant/unionist) / 45.1 (Catholic/nationalist)
No Religion25.236.710.1
Muslim4.82.00.6
Other/NoneRemainingRemainingRemaining

Long-Term Impact

Policy Applications and Resource Allocation

The 2011 census provided essential small-area data that underpinned central government's allocation of financial to authorities for services, serving as a key input into funding formulas and needs assessments. Local authorities relied on these statistics to prioritize expenditures based on demographic profiles, such as age, , and household composition, enabling targeted service delivery. The Office for National Statistics quantified the census's annual economic benefits at approximately £500 million, with forming a core component through enhanced efficiency in spending. In education, census-derived population estimates informed forecasts of pupil numbers, as exemplified by Hampshire County Council's use of the data to ensure adequate school places and infrastructure planning. Similarly, applied insights on qualifications and demographics to direct community learning programs toward areas with high concentrations of unqualified adults. For health services, the (NHS) integrated census data into planning for service delivery, including resource distribution to address local health needs tied to age and dependency ratios. Local examples included Leeds City Council's allocation of £35,000 to projects promoting independence among older residents, informed by census breakdowns of age and living arrangements. Housing and social care policies benefited from census data on tenure patterns and household types, which guided interventions like energy efficiency upgrades and supported housing schemes; , for instance, leveraged similar demographic insights for funding bids. Emergency services across the UK, including the London Fire Service and , used the data to map risk profiles and deploy resources to high-density or vulnerable populations. Broader policy impacts extended to legislation like the , where census evidence on unpaid carers and health dependencies shaped provisions for . Overall, the census facilitated evidence-based adjustments to funding streams, reducing inefficiencies in areas with mismatched service provision and .

Contributions to Subsequent Statistical Practices

The 2011 United Kingdom census introduced refined coverage assessment methodologies, including the One Number Census approach extended from , which integrated multiple data sources to estimate underenumeration and produce adjusted population estimates. These methods involved dual-system estimation and capture-recapture techniques applied to administrative records and survey data, achieving an estimated coverage of 94% in after adjustments. Lessons from this process directly informed the 2021 census, where coverage matching processes were enhanced to better handle non-response bias, incorporating and improved administrative data linkages for validation. Innovations in statistical disclosure control, such as targeted record swapping for tabular outputs and a three-tier for flow without small cell adjustments, were implemented to balance utility with , protecting against re-identification risks in microdata. These techniques reduced disclosure risks while preserving analytical accuracy, influencing subsequent practices by prioritizing perturbation methods over suppression in the 2021 census outputs, as informed by post-2011 evaluations of disclosure incidents. The census's adoption of multiple enumeration strategies, including post-out questionnaires supported by a comprehensive address register, marked a shift from traditional enumerator-led collection, yielding a 94% household response rate in England and Wales. This hybrid model, combined with initial online response options achieving 16% participation, provided empirical evidence on digital feasibility, prompting the Office for National Statistics to expand online-first approaches in 2021, where over 80% of responses were digital. Geospatial methodological advancements in delineating small output areas enabled finer-grained population estimates, incorporating dasymetric mapping and floating catchment techniques to address boundary instabilities. These contributed to subsequent practices by standardizing small-area modeling in administrative , as seen in the Beyond 2011 program evaluations that tested census alternatives but reinforced hybrid census designs for 2021. Imputation procedures for item non-response, refined through 2011's sequential hot-decking and models, were reapplied and iterated in 2021 to minimize bias in socioeconomic variables.

Retrospective Critiques and Legacy Debates

The 2011 Census faced retrospective scrutiny over its coverage accuracy, with the (ONS) estimating an undercount of approximately 0.5% for based on post-enumeration surveys and administrative data linkages, though higher rates were observed among hard-to-reach groups such as young males and certain ethnic minorities. Independent reviews highlighted potential overcounts in some areas due to duplicate online submissions and improved response rates from targeted follow-ups, complicating net adjustment efforts. Critics, including statistical authorities, noted that while the Census Coverage Survey achieved a 94% response rate, residual errors persisted in urban and transient populations, prompting calls for more robust administrative data integration in future exercises. Methodological critiques centered on the census's high cost, totaling around £482 million for , equivalent to roughly $11.82 , which exceeded international benchmarks for traditional decennial counts and fueled debates on value for money given the data's one-year lag to initial outputs. Privacy concerns arose from perceived intrusiveness of questions on , , and , leading to a challenge against the Census Act for inadequate data safeguards, though the case emphasized voluntary compliance rather than outright refusal. Online completion reached only 16% of returns, attributed to digital access disparities and trust issues, which reviewers argued undermined efficiency gains despite promotional efforts. Self-identification in and drew particular contention, as data instability doubled from 2001 to 2011, with up to 26% of respondents shifting categories between censuses, questioning the reliability of fluid constructs like "" or regional identities such as Cornish, which was added mid-process following advocacy but highlighted inconsistencies in question design. ONS analyses revealed that while ethnic diversity metrics informed policy, the subjective nature of responses amplified measurement error, particularly for mixed or emerging groups, without objective anchors like ancestry verification. Legacy debates crystallized around the census's viability in an era of real-time administrative records, spurring the ONS's "Beyond 2011" program to pilot alternatives like annual surveys, which promised timelier at lower but risked fragmentation without a decennial benchmark. Proponents of retention argued that the 2011 exercise's comprehensive scope—yielding granular insights into migration and deprivation—outweighed flaws, influencing 2021 enhancements like digital-first delivery and imputation models, yet skeptics contended persistent undercounts and costs justified hybrid approaches over full replacement. Evaluations estimated net annual benefits exceeding £1 billion from policy applications, but methodological reviews underscored the need for causal validation against ground-truth to mitigate biases in self-reported metrics.

References

  1. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/2011ukcensuses
  2. http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06595/SN06595.pdf
  3. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census
  4. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/ethnicity/adhocs/007284ct07192011censusethnicgroupwriteinresponsecornishewcornwall
  5. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howweplannedthe2011census/independentassessments/independentreviewofcoverageassessmentadjustmentandqualityassurance/2011censusreviewfinalrepor_tcm77-224561.pdf
  6. https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/blog/census-population-housing-past-present-future/
  7. https://uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/images-assessmentreport3182011censusphase_tcm97-45033.pdf
  8. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/aboutcensuses/censushistory
  9. https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/storyofthecensus/
  10. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/2011-and-earlier-censuses/history-census
  11. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/history-of-census-1801-to-2021
  12. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/10-11/41
  13. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howweplannedthe2011census/censuslegislation
  14. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/sdsi/2010/9780111007907
  15. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2010/211/contents/made
  16. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2010/195/made
  17. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/2011censusdata/2011censususerguide/frequentlyaskedquestions
  18. https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/about/2011-census/2011-census-planning/2011-census-legislation/
  19. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/files/nisra/publications/2011-census-results-key-statistics-northern-ireland-report-11-december-2012.pdf
  20. https://ukdataservice.ac.uk/app/uploads/2011censusesukcomparabilityreport.pdf
  21. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/whywehaveacensus
  22. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howwetookthe2011census/howweprocessedtheinformation/coverageassessmentandadjustmentprocesses/coverage-assessment-guide_tcm77-189758.pdf
  23. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/conduct-2011-censuses-uk-statement-agreement-national-statistician-and-registrars
  24. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howwetookthe2011census/howweprocessedtheinformation/coverageassessmentandadjustmentprocesses/ag0805_tcm77-189763.pdf
  25. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/consultationsusersandlocalpartners/censusadvisorygroups/censusgeneralcag/ag1017censusobjectivesv2tcm77190509.pdf
  26. https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files/statistics/pams06-24a-census-2011-questionnaire.pdf
  27. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/2011-census-background/planning
  28. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/census/documents/uk/uk2.pdf
  29. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/dddmp.2013.4
  30. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/2011-census-results/uk-census-outputs
  31. https://obr.uk/box/the-preliminary-results-of-census-2011/
  32. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howweplannedthe2011census/questionnairedevelopment
  33. https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/about/2011-census/2011-census-planning/2011-census-research/
  34. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/census/documents/uk/GBR-2015-03-05.pdf
  35. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howweplannedthe2011census/questionnairedevelopment/finalisingthe2011questionnaire
  36. https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/style-guide/ethnic-groups
  37. https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/cognitive-testing-questionnaire-developed-2011-census
  38. https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-new-ethnicity-classification-scottish-official-statistics-recommended-scotlands-2011-census/pages/6/
  39. https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets/documents/raise/publications/2013/general/russell3013.pdf
  40. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/designforthe2011census
  41. https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/jx2lz54n/scotland-s_census_2011_general_report.pdf
  42. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howwetookthe2011census/howweprocessedtheinformation/coverageassessmentandadjustmentprocesses/pt127abbott_tcm77-161537.pdf
  43. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/files/nisra/publications/comparison-census-outputs-from-2001-and-2011-for-geographic-areas.pdf
  44. https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/stats/documents/ece/ces/ge.44/2012/43_United_Kingdom_Aldrich.pdf
  45. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/census/documents/uk/uk1.pdf
  46. https://uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/tempdocs/report-36--counting-on-success--the-2011-census---managing-the-risks--november-2007-.pdf
  47. https://dam.ukdataservice.ac.uk/media/455474/cope.pdf
  48. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/methodologies/2011censusstatisticsforenglandandwalesmarch2011qmi
  49. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howwetookthe2011census/howwecollectedtheinformation/fieldoperations
  50. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/2011censusdata/2011censususerguide/qualityandmethods
  51. https://sites.nationalacademies.org/cs/groups/dbassesite/documents/webpage/dbasse_088803.pdf
  52. https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/publications/census-2011
  53. https://datavis.nisra.gov.uk/census/2011/census-2011-st101ni.ods
  54. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-12729908
  55. https://dam.ukdataservice.ac.uk/media/290464/french.pdf
  56. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howweplannedthe2011census
  57. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/2011-census-evaluation-reports
  58. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/2011-census-general-report
  59. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/files/nisra/publications/online-data-collection-in-the-census.pdf
  60. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-16299280
  61. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45288444_2011_UK_Census_Coverage_Assessment_and_Adjustment_Methodology
  62. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-13270291
  63. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/consultationsusersandlocalpartners/censusadvisorygroups/censusgeneralcag/ag0917tcm77190524.pdf
  64. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/2011censuskeystatisticsforenglandandwales/2012-12-11
  65. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/Demographic/meetings/egm/Symposium04/docs/AC97_7.pdf
  66. https://uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/beyond2011independentreviewofmethodology_tcm77-334921-1.pdf
  67. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/2011-and-earlier-censuses/2011-census
  68. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/hardtosurvey-populations/counting-and-estimating-hardtosurvey-populations-in-the-2011-census/7C414EE6710D70F9AAD135EFB0B5A354
  69. https://revealingreality.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Revealing_Reality_Westminster_Why-Westminster-will-be-hard-to-count.pdf
  70. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10826590/
  71. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howdidwedoin2011/2011censusgeneralreport/2011censusgeneralreportforenglandandwaleschapter4_tcm77-384967.pdf
  72. https://2011.isiproceedings.org/papers/650087.pdf
  73. https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/neufaok1/rel1cmethodology.pdf
  74. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howwetookthe2011census/howweprocessedtheinformation/coverageassessmentandadjustmentprocesses
  75. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1057/pt.2009.31.pdf
  76. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3233/SJI-180426
  77. https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/documents/2011-census-estimation-and-adjustment-strategy/
  78. https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/cenabtif/rel1bmethodology.pdf
  79. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/2011-census-background/methodology
  80. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howdidwedoin2011/2011censusgeneralreport
  81. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howdidwedoin2011/2011censusgeneralreport/2011censusgeneralreportforenglandandwaleschapter8_tcm77-384975.pdf
  82. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282401672_Linkage_of_Census_and_Administrative_Data_to_Quality_Assure_the_2011_Census_for_England_and_Wales
  83. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-12868199
  84. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/2011censuspopulationestimatesfortheunitedkingdom/2012-12-17
  85. https://ukdataservice.ac.uk/case-study/using-linked-census-survey-data-to-monitor-survey-non-response/
  86. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/2011-census-benefits-realisation-report
  87. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/2011censusbenefits/2011censusbenefitsevaluationreport
  88. https://uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/EAP185-Census-Benefits-Methods-Review.pdf
  89. https://isi-web.org/sites/default/files/import/files-2015/IPS087-P4-S.pdf
  90. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13210080
  91. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/nigel-hawkes-the-real-cost-of-a-compromised-census-will-be-inaccurate-data-1992013.html
  92. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-12324970
  93. https://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network/poll/2011/mar/08/poll-census-value-for-money-waste
  94. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278101419_Beyond_the_2011_Census_in_the_United_Kingdom_With_an_International_Perspective
  95. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/feb/19/census-boycott-lockheed-martin
  96. https://caat.org.uk/news/census-2011-would-you-trust-an-arms-company-with-your-data/
  97. https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-protesters-boycott-census-over-3047947
  98. https://peacenews.info/blog/2011/how-fill-your-census-form-without-lockheed-martin-profiting-long-version
  99. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/18/lockheed-martin-census-arms-companies
  100. https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/i0edigpv/scsc-paper5-sept-2009.pdf
  101. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/howourcensusworks/howwetookthe2011census/howweprocessedtheinformation/coverageassessmentandadjustmentprocesses/htc-for-web-v26-220210_tcm77-189762.pdf
  102. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jul/16/census-2012-population-dodgy-data
  103. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/articles/immigrationpatternsofnonukbornpopulationsinenglandandwalesin2011/2013-12-17
  104. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/11/2011-census-diversity-politicians
  105. https://www.radstats.org.uk/no111/Finney111.pdf
  106. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369183X.2019.1577726
  107. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/religion/articles/fullstorywhatdoesthecensustellusaboutreligionin2011/2013-05-16
  108. https://humanists.uk/campaigns/successful-campaigns/census-2011/
  109. https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2012/12/12/2011-census-the-religion-question
  110. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmpubadm/1090/109005.htm
  111. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01434632.2017.1342651
  112. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/confidentiality/assessingourmeasurestoprotectyourconfidentiality/piafinalversio_tcm77-179461.pdf
  113. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/confidentiality/assessingourmeasurestoprotectyourconfidentiality/iia_tcm77-229707.pdf
  114. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/confidentiality
  115. https://news.sky.com/story/hackers-claim-they-stole-2011-census-data-10487504
  116. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/confidentiality/assessingourmeasurestoprotectyourconfidentiality/accepted_tcm77-268232.pdf
  117. https://journalprivacyconfidentiality.org/index.php/jpc/article/view/632
  118. https://www.unece.org/sites/default/files/datastore/fileadmin/DAM/stats/documents/ece/ces/ge.46/2009/wp.28.e.pdf
  119. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/may/26/census-act-judicial-review
  120. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/2011censusdata
  121. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/2011-census-results/population-and-household-estimates
  122. https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/nkugif0n/rel1asb.pdf
  123. https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/qdhobhsu/rel1csb.pdf
  124. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/2011censusdata/bulkdata
  125. https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2011
  126. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/2011censusdata/2011censusdatacatalogue
  127. https://ukdataservice.ac.uk/learning-hub/census/resources/get-census-microdata/
  128. https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/368a4d60-ffbe-4bbc-9f67-95cf11b2017f/census-merged-local-authority-districts-december-2011-boundaries-ew-bgc
  129. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/2011-census-table-lookups
  130. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/consultationsusersandlocalpartners/censusadvisorygroups/outputcag/ag13022011censusoutputupdatetcm77364725.pdf
  131. https://www.teamdoncaster.org.uk/Documents/DocumentView/Stream/Media/Tenant2/Documents/Key%2520messages%2520and%2520possible%2520impacts%2520from%2520the%2520First%2520Release%2520of%2520Census%25202011%2520data_tcm33-98991.pdf
  132. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/2011censusbenefits/howothersusecensusdata/localauthorities
  133. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/2011census/2011censusdata/censusmicrodata/microdatateachingfile/microdatauserguide/2011censusmicrodatateachingfileuserguide_tcm77-349416.pdf
  134. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandwellbeing/methodologies/2011censuslinkagetodwpmasterkeyandencryptednino
  135. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-20757480
  136. https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/p4ac0tiv/statsbulletin2.pdf
  137. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/populationandhouseholdestimatesfortheunitedkingdom/2011-03-21
  138. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/ethnicity/articles/ethnicityandnationalidentityinenglandandwales/2012-12-11
  139. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/dec/11/2011-census-data-key-points
  140. https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/lc1117ew
  141. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/annualmidyearpopulationestimates/2013-12-17
  142. https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-ethnicity/demographics/age-groups/latest
  143. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/articles/detailedcountryofbirthandnationalityanalysisfromthe2011censusofenglandandwales/2013-05-13
  144. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-20681551
  145. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/articles/economicandsocialcharacteristicsoftheresidentpopulationofenglandandwalesbynationalityandcountryofbirthin2011/2013-07-12
  146. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/2011-census-key-statistics-northern-ireland
  147. https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/qs607uk
  148. https://www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/2011-census-key-statistics-tables-labour-market
  149. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/ethnicity/articles/2011censusanalysisethnicityandreligionofthenonukbornpopulationinenglandandwales/2015-06-18
  150. https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/census-results/at-a-glance/national-identity/
  151. https://uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/EAP107-Methodology-report-on-coverage-matching-for-the-2021-Census.docx
  152. https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1575056/1/Duke-Williams_book-chapter7.pdf
  153. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/census2021outputs/nationalstatisticsaccreditation/howtheofficefornationalstatisticsisensuringthe2021censuswillservethepublic
  154. https://www.mrs.org.uk/pdf/3.%2520CGG0912%2520Emma%2520White%2520presentation.pdf
  155. https://www.rgs.org/about-us/what-is-geography/impact-of-geography/revolutionising-the-census-with-new-methods-for-population-data-in-the-uk
  156. https://2011.isiproceedings.org/papers/450410.pdf
  157. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6850323f29fb1002010c4ece/Census_2021_General_report_for_England_and_Wales.pdf
  158. https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/censustransformationprogramme/consultations/the2021censusinitialviewoncontentforenglandandwales/2011censusqualitysurveyreport.pdf
  159. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1515/jos-2015-0027
  160. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313364676_Estimating_and_correcting_for_over-count_in_the_2011_census
  161. https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2009-12-09/debates/09120938000025/2011Census
  162. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0376835X.2016.1203761
  163. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5053233/
  164. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/the-concept-of-ethnicity-has-not-much-science-about-it-and-is-no-less-imposed-than-other-social-categories/
  165. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c13e08aed915d0b9211b98d/Census2021WhitePaper.pdf
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.