Spotlight
Ethnic group, England and Wales: Census 2021
What's in the bulletin?
- In 2021, 81.7% (48.7 million) of usual residents in England and Wales identified their ethnic group within the high-level “White” category, a decrease from 86.0% (48.2 million) in the 2011 Census.
- As part of the “White” ethnic group, 74.4% (44.4 million) of the total population in England and Wales identified their ethnic group as “English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British”, this is a continued decrease from 80.5% (45.1 million) in 2011, and from 87.5% (45.5 million) who identified this way in 2001.
- The next most common high-level ethnic group was “Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh” accounting for 9.3% (5.5 million) of the overall population, this ethnic group also saw the largest percentage point increase from 2011, up from 7.5% (4.2 million people).
National identity, England and Wales: Census 2021
What's in the bulletin?
- In 2021, 90.3% (53.8 million) of usual residents identified with at least one UK national identity (English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish, British, and Cornish); this is a slight decrease from 92.0% (51.6 million) in 2011.
- People who identified with at least one UK and one non-UK identity accounted for 2.0% of the overall population (1.2 million people) in 2021; this is an increase from 0.9% (492,000) in 2011.
- Those selecting a non-UK identity only accounted for 9.7% of the overall population (5.8 million people), which is an increase from 8.0% of the population (4.5 million people) in 2011.
Developing admin-based ethnicity statistics for England and Wales
Research update on producing population statistics by ethnic group for England and Wales from administrative data, with comparisons with Census 2021 estimates.
Datasets related to Ethnicity
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Ethnic group by age and sex in England and Wales
This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classifies the 19 tick-box ethnic groups, by age, sex, and age and sex.
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Detailed ethnic group by age and sex in England and Wales
This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classifies the detailed (287) ethnic groups, by age, sex, and age and sex.
Publications related to Ethnicity
Statistical bulletins
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Ethnic group, England and Wales: Census 2021
The ethnic groups of usual residents and household ethnic composition in England and Wales, Census 2021 data.
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National identity, England and Wales: Census 2021
The national identity of usual residents in England and Wales, Census 2021 data.
Articles
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Review of the current evidence base for population estimates by ethnic group
Evaluation of the current evidence base for population estimates by ethnic group produced by the Office for National Statistics.
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Ethnic group by age and sex, England and Wales
Information from Census 2021 on the sex and age characteristics of ethnic groups and how this has changed since 2011 in England and Wales.
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Ethnic group differences in health, employment, education and housing shown in England and Wales' Census 2021
Life outcomes vary a lot between ethnic groups. Using the England and Wales Census 2021, we look at variations in health, disability, overcrowding and home ownership, as well as levels of education and employment.
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Developing admin-based ethnicity statistics for England and Wales
Research update on producing population statistics by ethnic group for England and Wales from administrative data, with comparisons with Census 2021 estimates.
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Quality of ethnicity data in health-related administrative data sources by sociodemographic characteristics, England
Comparing the quality of ethnicity data recorded in health-related administrative data sources with Census 2021.
Methodology related to Ethnicity
Find, compare and visualise statistics about places within the United Kingdom.