Religion variable: Census 2021

Definition of religion, categories, and changes since the 2011 Census for use with research and analysis using Census 2021 data.

Last updated:
28 November 2023

Mnemonic: religion_tb
Applicability: Person
Type: Derived variable

Definition

The religion people connect or identify with (their religious affiliation), whether or not they practise or have belief in it.

This question was voluntary and includes people who identified with one of 8 tick-box response options, including "No religion", alongside those who chose not to answer this question.

Classification

Total number of categories: 10

Code Name
1 No religion
2 Christian
3 Buddhist
4 Hindu
5 Jewish
6 Muslim
7 Sikh
8 Other religion
9 Not answered
-8 Does not apply*

*Students and schoolchildren living away during term-time.

View all religion classifications.

Quality information

There are some quality issues in the data that may affect how you use the data.

Background

Read about how we developed and tested the questions for Census 2021.

Comparability with the 2011 Census

Broadly comparable

This derived variable can be generally compared with the same variable used in the 2011 Census, but there are some quality issues in the data.

What does broadly comparable mean?

A variable that is broadly comparable means that it can be generally compared with the same variable used in the 2011 Census. However, changes may have been made to the question or options that people could choose from or how write-in answers are classified.

England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland comparisons

Broadly comparable

The religions included in the variable for England and Wales differ from those included in variables produced by Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What does broadly comparable mean?

A variable that is broadly comparable means that outputs from Census 2021 in England and Wales can generally be compared with Scotland and Northern Ireland. Differences in how the data were collected or presented may reduce the ability to fully harmonise on outputs, but some harmonisation is still expected.

Find out more about variables produced for Census 2021 in Northern Ireland and Census 2022 in Scotland.

Census 2021 data that uses this variable

We use variables from Census 2021 data to show findings in different ways.

You can:

Alternatively, you can also create a custom dataset.

Other datasets that use this variable