We aim to publish all main Census 2021 data on the population of England and Wales within two years of the census.
Phase 1
Census 2021 first results: published
On 28 June 2022 we published the first results from Census 2021 for England and Wales.
Datasets, publications and methodology
The results included rounded population and household estimates for England and Wales, for local authorities. View the list of the datasets, publications and methodology in the first results from the Census 2021 on the release calendar.
Interactive content
We also published an interactive article and game. View the interactive content from Census 2021 first results in the release calendar.
Topic summaries and area profiles (mainly univariate data)
From October to the end of the year 2022, we will publish a series of data and supporting commentary groups by a similar theme, known as topic summaries. Proposed topic summaries in publication order are:
- demography and migration
- ethnic group, national identity, language, and religion
- UK armed forces veterans
- housing
- labour market and travel to work
- sexual orientation and gender identity
- education
- health, disability, and unpaid care
The order has changed slightly from what we announced in our response to the Census 2021 Outputs consultation. As our timetable is planned around user need, it is and will remain subject to change. In accordance with the Code of Practice for official statistics (English only), we will confirm the publication of each topic summary at least four weeks in advance.
Alongside the release of topic summaries, we will make the data available through area profiles. This means that you will be able to view statistics from different topics for a particular area and compare local statistics against national statistics.
Get more information about the datasets, variables and classifications planned for topic summaries.
Phase 2: winter 2022 to early 2023
Start of the Census 2021 analysis programme
All Census 2021 data releases will be published with statistical commentary. A detailed three-year Census 2021 analysis programme will start after the release of topic summary data. Get more information about what we plan to publish in the first year of the analysis programme.
Multivariate data for the usual resident population base
Multivariate data will allow you to combine variables and explore relationships between the data, collected from Census 2021 on the usual resident population of England and Wales. We are introducing new functionality for Census 2021 data that will allow you to make your own datasets, as well as view and download ready-made datasets. Get more information about the new functionality and our plans to release multivariate data.
Short-term resident population data
The short-term resident population includes those who were not born in the UK and who intended to stay in the UK for less than 12 months, as of March 2021. Following user feedback, we have moved the release of this alternative population into phase two.
Phase 3: from spring 2023
Alternative population bases
Alternative population bases are the different geographical locations where individuals could have been counted for Census 2021. Examples include workplace, workday and out-of-term populations.
Small populations
Small populations are groups that are defined by their cultural background, including characteristics such as ethnic group, country of birth, religion and national identity. Examples of small populations that we are committed to producing datasets about include Cornish, Kashmiri, Nepali, Sikh, Ravidassia and Jain. Get more information about datasets we will produce and those we are considering to produce on alternative and small populations.
Detailed migration data
Detailed migration statistics provide the characteristics of people or households who have moved within the UK or from another country into the UK during the year before the census. Get more information about the datasets we will produce on detailed migration.
Origin-destination data or 'flow' data
Origin-destination data describes the movement of people from one location to another. Planned types of origin-destination data from Census 2021 include:
- migration flow data
- workplace flow data
- second address flow data
- student flow data
These data will be classified as either public, safeguard or secure. Get more details about our plans, including how you can access origin-destination data.
Microdata samples
Microdata are samples of anonymised records for individuals and households, which include a selection of associated census characteristics. Microdata samples will be classified in three ways: public, safeguarded or secure. Read more details about our plans including, how you can access microdata samples.
UK census data: from summer 2023
Censuses took place in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland in March 2021. Scotland’s census took place in March 2022. We are working closely with UK census offices to publish comparable data from across the UK. Get information about how we are working with the other UK census offices and our plans for UK census outputs.
More information
We asked for feedback about our release plans between July to October 2021. Read our proposals and outcomes of the Census 2021 outputs consultation on the ONS consultation website.
You can also contact us about Census 2021 output release plans by emailing census.outputs@ons.gov.uk.