The Beyond 2011 Project

The Beyond 2011 project is developing a number of options for the production of key population statistics after the 2011 Census.

Population statistics, and information on the characteristics of the population, are essential for the cost-effective delivery of local and national public services. Apart from users in central and local government, many public and commercial bodies require accurate population data to help them make key decisions.

While supporting the need for a 2011 Census, users are concerned that the current approach may not be the best way to collect population data looking forward beyond 2011. It is clear rapid changes in society and greater availability of alternative data about the population are leading to new requirements for population statistics. Data users want a greater range of statistics to be available more frequently, to provide an accurate picture of population change.

The Beyond 2011 project aims to address these concerns and will develop a range of options for the production of population statistics beyond the 2011 Census. It is considering how a number of different data sources could be used to produce the key information needed to support effective decision-making.

The Beyond 2011 project has been put together under the auspices of the National Statistician and the Registrars General of Scotland and Northern Ireland with input from a wide range of Government departments.