These plans detail the analysis we plan to publish about the labour market in the first year of the Census 2021 analysis programme, and the proposals we are considering publishing in subsequent years. We will provide any updates to these plans resulting from user feedback, and further research and testing of the data. We will provide the publication dates of the analytical articles on the release calendar in "Upcoming releases". We intend to confirm publication releases four weeks before publication.

Publications in 2022

Comparing Census 2021 and Labour Force Survey estimates of the labour market, England and Wales: March 2021
Article | Published 8 December 2022
Comparing the percentages of adults in employment and other labour market data between Census 2021 and the Labour Force Survey, and reasons why they differ.

Publications in 2023

Employment in local authorities, England and Wales: Census 2021
Article | Published 13 March 2023
People living in the local authorities of England and Wales who are in and out of work covering employment, unemployment and economic inactivity, Census 2021 data.

Migration and the labour market, England and Wales: Census 2021
Article | Published 21 March 2023
Differing labour market participation between migrant populations and non-migrants, including a look at the type of occupations and which industries they work in.

The occupations most dependent on older and younger workers
Article | Published 31 May 2023
What do you want to be when you grow up? Census 2021 data for England and Wales show which jobs had the most young people, how work varies for men and women, and that some professions might be at risk of dying out.

Diversity in the labour market

This analysis will focus on how rates of employment and unemployment vary by personal and protected characteristics, such as:

  • ethnicity

  • disability

  • sex

  • gender identity

Occupation and industry analysis

This article will look at the characteristics of people working in certain occupations and industries.

The occupation analysis will look at the most detailed SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) classification (4-digit) to give detailed insights into specific occupations. Characteristics like age and sex of people employed in these occupations will be explored.

Industry analysis will build on existing industry analysis by exploring industries at more detailed SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) classifications and using the same breakdowns as the occupation analysis.

Labour market status by family, parental and household characteristics

This analysis will complement existing analysis of families and the labour market. It will look in detail at differences in how families organise their labour market activity.

Labour market status and educational attainment, including skills mismatch and underemployment

This analysis will focus on how labour market status varies according to educational attainment, and how this varies geographically. It will look at employment rates, unemployment rates, and hours worked. It will also include regression analysis of employment rate by level of education.

Proposed publications for 2024 and beyond

Labour market subtopic multivariate analysis to profile local workforces

This synthesis analysis will bring together a range of analyses on areas such as:

  • occupation

  • industry

  • education

  • other personal characteristics

This will provide a more holistic view of different local labour markets.

Understanding how occupations, industries and socioeconomic profiles vary between small geographical areas

This analysis will look at a range of labour market information, such as economic activity, occupation, and supervisory status. It will analyse these against variables such as age, tenure and qualifications to help reveal deprivation, labour market exclusion and inequalities. The analysis will offer detail about small geographical areas to allow local authorities to use data to steer local economic development plans.

Linked census and earnings analysis

This analysis will combine Census 2021 data with sources such as the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) to investigate earnings by a variety of characteristics.

Continuing effect of deindustrialisation

This analysis will focus on the economic characteristics of communities that have been through the process of deindustrialisation and whether those communities continue to be negatively affected by it. The analysis will focus on aspects of these communities, such as:

  • economic activity

  • deprivation

  • health

  • education

It will also compare the information with communities that have not faced the challenges of deindustrialisation.

Case study: NHS

This analysis will examine the demographic and social characteristics of NHS workers. It will aim to increase understanding of the make-up of the NHS worker population. It will also aim to identify the social issues that are most prevalent for this population, such as housing, education, and health.

Case study: first responders

This analysis will examine the demographic and social make-up of first responder workers, such as paramedics, firefighters, and police officers. It will aim to increase understanding of the make-up of the first responder worker population and identify the social issues that are most prevalent for this group.

Teacher trends: an analysis of the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of teachers

This analysis will outline the size, as well as the demographic and social characteristics of the population employed as teachers in England and Wales. It aims to understand the population that makes up the teaching occupation.

Workplace leadership roles by sex

This analysis will identify the proportion of male and female workers who are employed in leadership roles by industry. It will investigate geographical differences in trends and how these have changed since the 2011 Census.

Researchers: an analysis of the proportion of the population engaged in STEM research

This analysis will focus on the characteristics of the population working within the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It will aim to identify any groups that are under-represented within the STEM population. It will investigate geographical differences in trends and how these have changed since the 2011 Census, to understand the growth of this profession.

Culture and heritage: an analysis of employment

This analysis will look at the size and distribution of workers within the cultural and heritage sectors across England and Wales, compared with 2011. It will produce new insights into the development of this sector over the previous decade. It will also investigate the social and demographic characteristics of workers within this industry, around topics such as health, housing and education.

Industry changes

This methodology-focused analysis aims to identify changes in the proportion of the population working in different industries between the 2011 Census and Census 2021.

More information

To find out more about our Census 2021 analysis plans or to provide feedback, email us at census.customer.services@ons.gov.uk.