- What is the UK? What about Great Britain?
- Where do I go for further information?
- What is in the first release of UK census data?
- What are the quality assurance measures for the UK data?
- What are the plans for future UK outputs?
- What are the differences between geographies in the countries?
- Was the census more successful in any particular country?
- Was anything different about the 2011 Census in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
- Who else can see my data, as Scotland and Northern Ireland have now passed it to ONS?
- How are the censuses collated to get UK data?
- Why isn’t there a hundred years of the census graphic for the UK?
What is the UK? What about Great Britain?
The United Kingdom (UK) is the countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Great Britain is the countries of England, Wales and Scotland.
Where do I go for further information?
For UK and England and Wales:
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Census Customer Services
Tel: 01329 444972
Fax: 01633 652981
Minicom: 01329 444517
Email: Census.CustomerServices@ons.gsi.gov.uk
Postal address: Room 4300S, ONS, Segensworth Road, Titchfield, Hampshire, PO15 5RR
Websites:
2011 Census homepage, England and Wales
For Northern Ireland:
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)
Tel: 028 9034 8160
Email: census.nisra@dfpni.gov.uk
Website: www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census
For Scotland:
National Records of Scotland (NRS)
Tel: 0131 314 4254
Email: customer@gro-scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/census
What is in the first release of UK census data?
This first release brings together data from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, where equivalent data for all countries are available. Specifically the information being published on 17 December 2012 includes rounded 2011 Census population estimates for the UK, and constituent countries, by sex and five year age group. It also includes total population and population density figures for the whole of the UK down to local authority (or equivalent) level, with rounded data in Scotland.
What are the quality assurance measures for the UK data?
2011 Census estimates have been quality assured extensively, using other national and local sources of information for comparison and review by a series of quality assurance panels.
The UK statistics have been compiled by ONS from the three Census Offices (NRS, NISRA and ONS). The data used for UK statistics have been checked by each of these offices to ensure that they are the same as their individual published datasets. The compilation of these aggregate datasets into a single set of UK tables has been quality checked by another division within ONS to ensure that no errors occur in the compilation process.
Further information about the methodology and quality assurance processes for the 2011 Censuses in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are available from their respective websites.
2011 Census website, England and Wales
2011 Census website, Northern Ireland
What are the plans for future UK outputs?
ONS plans to publish a broad range of material for the UK, when equivalent or similar data become available for all the countries of the UK. Where possible these will be consistent datasets for the whole of the UK, including appropriate geographic breakdowns, collated in one place. These data will be available on the ONS website. We also aim to include a range of metadata and analysis, as well as providing a UK service to customers. Further detail of announced publications will be kept up to date in the UK section of the ONS census prospectus.
What are the differences between geographies in the countries?
Local government bodies are known by different names in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England, unitary authorities, metropolitan districts , non-metropolitan areas and London boroughs comprise the local authority tier of local government. In Wales, they are unitary authorities. In Scotland, they are council areas and in Northern Ireland they are district council areas.
Further information on these and other geographies in the UK can be found in the ONS Geography beginners guide.
Was the census more successful in any particular country?
The census was successful in each of the countries of the UK, with the data collected targeted to meet specific national needs.
Was anything different about the 2011 Census in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for the 2011 Census for England and Wales, and additionally for disseminating census statistics for the UK.
National Records of Scotland (NRS) is responsible for the 2011 Census for Scotland.
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) is responsible for the 2011 Census for Northern Ireland.
The census in all UK countries has been undertaken in a consistent manner. However, there are differences in some of the questions asked, processing, and detailed methodology. Further information is available from the individual websites.
As regards to differences between England and Wales: people in Wales were able to choose to complete their questionnaire (on paper or online) in Welsh, if they wished. Enquiry lines, advice and online guidance were also available in Welsh. An extra question was asked of people living in Wales, about the Welsh language.
ONS worked with many organisations in both England and Wales during the development and operation of the 2011 Census to reflect interests from both countries, such as establishing a Census Advisory Group for Wales that included representatives from Welsh Language Board, local authorities, businesses and voluntary organisations.
More information about the 2011 Census in Wales is available on the ONS website.
Who else can see my data, as Scotland and Northern Ireland have now passed it to ONS?
The release of UK population estimates from the 2011 Census is based on aggregate data. We have used only data that are already published, or are being published on 17 December 2012. These data do not disclose any details about individuals. Extensive security measures are taken to protect census data and these are described on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, National Records of Scotland, and ONS websites.
How are the censuses collated to get UK data?
For the release on 17 December 2012, unrounded English, Welsh, and Northern Irish statistics have already been published. We are taking unrounded, published, data from England, Wales and Northern Ireland and adding them to rounded Scottish data to create rounded GB and UK totals.
Calculations (for example percentage changes) are based on unrounded data as far as possible - but upon rounded data for any Scottish figures.
We will be basing these on aggregate, rounded data supplied to us shortly before publication by the National Record for Scotland (NRS) (as allowed for in the Statistics and Registration Service Act). The data used from Scotland are available from 17 December on the National Records of Scotland website.
Why isn’t there a hundred years of the census graphic for the UK?
The '100 years graphic' uses individual age band data - the data required to extend this graphic to the whole UK are not available as part of this release. We aim to publish a UK version in 2013 when National Records of Scotland publish data on population by single year of age.
