/visualisations/censusareachanges/W06000011/

Swansea's population decreased

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Swansea fell by 0.2%, from around 239,000 in 2011 to around 238,500 in 2021.

This means Swansea was one of seven local authority areas in Wales to see its population decline. The population of Wales increased by 1.4%, from 3,063,000 to 3,107,000.

In 2021, Swansea was home to around 4.5 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This area was the fourth most densely populated out of all 22 local authority areas across Wales.

This article generally uses percentages to enable comparisons over time and between areas. The percentage point change is also used to show the difference between the 2011 and 2021 percentages.

The population of Swansea decreased by around 0.2%

Percentage population change, Swansea and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
Wales ▲1.4% Swansea ▼-0.2%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

Save as image (PNG <200KB) | Download the data (CSV <100KB) |

Median age increased

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Swansea increased by two years, from 39 to 41 years of age.

This area had a lower average (median) age than nearby Carmarthenshire (46 years) and a slightly lower average (median) age than Wales as a whole (42 years).

The median age is the age of the person in the middle of the group, meaning that one half of the group is younger than that person and the other half is older.

The number of people aged 65 to 74 years rose by just under 3,700 (an increase of 16.6%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by around 4,600 (9.7% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 65 and 74 years increased by 1.6 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

Percentage of usual residents by age group,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 2.4 2.8 2.4 2.7 2.4 2.7 2.4%
2.8%
75 to 84 years 6.2 6.9 6.1 7.1 6.1 7.1 6.2%
6.9%
65 to 74 years 9.3 10.8 9.8 11.6 9.8 11.6 9.3%
10.8%
50 to 64 years 18.4 19.4 19.4 20.5 19.4 20.5 18.4%
19.4%
35 to 49 years 19.6 17.8 20.1 17.6 20.1 17.6 19.6%
17.8%
25 to 34 years 12.5 12.3 11.8 12.3 11.8 12.3 12.5%
12.3%
20 to 24 years 8.6 8.0 6.9 6.0 6.9 6.0 8.6%
8.0%
16 to 19 years 5.6 5.0 5.3 4.6 5.3 4.6 5.6%
5.0%
10 to 15 years 6.6 6.8 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 6.6%
6.8%
5 to 9 years 5.2 5.5 5.3 5.7 5.3 5.7 5.2%
5.5%
4 years and under 5.5 4.8 5.8 5.0 5.8 5.0 5.5%
4.8%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

Welsh language in Swansea

The percentage of Welsh speakers in Swansea remained at 11.2% in 2021.

In 2021, there were around 350 fewer Welsh-speaking Swansea residents (over the age of three years) compared with 2011. The number of people who did not speak Welsh increased by 1,100.

In nearby Carmarthenshire, 39.9% of people over the age of three years could speak Welsh, down from 43.9% at the 2011 Census. Across Wales, the percentage of Welsh speakers fell from 19.0% to 17.8%.

Cardiff was one of the few areas that saw an increase in the percentage of Welsh speakers (from 11.1% in 2011 to 12.2% in 2021), while Carmarthenshire saw the largest fall (from 43.9% to 39.9%).

The percentage of people who could speak Welsh in Swansea decreased by 0.2 percentage points

Percentage of people aged three years and over by ability to speak Welsh,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
Cannot speak Welsh 88.6 88.8 81.0 82.2 81.0 82.2 88.6%
88.8%
Can speak Welsh 11.4 11.2 19.0 17.8 19.0 17.8 11.4%
11.2%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

Family in Swansea

Of Swansea households, 16.1% included a couple with dependent children in 2021, down from 17.0% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in seven households (14.7%) included a couple but no children, compared with 15.6% in 2011. The percentage of single family households including a couple living with only non-dependent children decreased from 6.4% to 6.3%.

The decrease in the percentage of households including a couple with dependent children in Swansea (0.9 percentage points) was similar to the decrease in nearby Carmarthenshire (1.0 percentage points). In nearby Carmarthenshire, the percentage fell from 17.8% in 2011 to 16.9% in 2021, while across Wales, the percentage fell from 18.4% to 16.9%.

The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children in Swansea decreased by 0.9 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 13.4 14.5 13.7 14.6 13.7 14.6 13.4%
14.5%
One-person household: Other 19.9 19.9 17.1 17.3 17.1 17.3 19.9%
19.9%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 15.6 14.7 17.2 16.5 17.2 16.5 15.6%
14.7%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 17.0 16.1 18.4 16.9 18.4 16.9 17.0%
16.1%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 6.4 6.3 6.8 6.9 6.8 6.9 6.4%
6.3%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 11.7 12.6 11.4 12.0 11.4 12.0 11.7%
12.6%
Other household types 16.0 15.8 15.4 15.8 15.4 15.8 16.0%
15.8%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

Ethnic groups in Swansea

In 2021, 4.4% of Swansea residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 3.3% in 2011. The 1.1 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across Wales, the percentage of people from the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 2.3% to 2.9%.

In 2021, 91.4% of people in Swansea identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 94.0% in 2011), while 1.6% identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category (compared with 0.9% the previous decade).

The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group") increased from 1.0% in 2011 to 1.4% in 2021.

There are many factors that may be contributing to the changing ethnic composition of England and Wales, such as differing patterns of ageing, fertility, mortality, and migration. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals chose to self-identify between censuses.

Read the bulletin Ethnic group, England and Wales: Census 2021.

In 2021, 4.4% of usual residents in Swansea identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category

Percentage of usual residents by ethnic group,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 3.3 4.4 2.3 2.9 2.3 2.9 3.3%
4.4%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 0.8 1.2 0.6 0.9 0.6 0.9 0.8%
1.2%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 0.9 1.6 1.0 1.6 1.0 1.6 0.9%
1.6%
White 94.0 91.4 95.6 93.8 95.6 93.8 94.0%
91.4%
Other ethnic groups 1.0 1.4 0.5 0.9 0.5 0.9 1.0%
1.4%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

Rise in private renting

Of Swansea households, 18.0% rented privately in 2021, up from 14.7% in 2011.

In 2021, just under one in five households (19.1%) lived in socially rented housing, compared with 19.2% in 2011. The percentage of Swansea households that owned their home (outright or with a mortgage or loan) decreased from 64.0% to 62.3%.

The increase in the percentage of privately-rented homes in Swansea (3.3 percentage points) was similar to the increase in nearby Carmarthenshire (3.1 percentage points). In nearby Carmarthenshire, the percentage increased from 11.8% in 2011 to 14.9% in 2021, while across Wales, the percentage increased from 14.1% to 17.0%.

Private renting in Swansea increased by 3.3 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 64.0 62.3 67.4 66.1 67.4 66.1 64.0%
62.3%
Shared ownership 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3%
0.3%
Social rented 19.2 19.1 16.5 16.5 16.5 16.5 19.2%
19.1%
Private rented 14.7 18.0 14.1 17.0 14.1 17.0 14.7%
18.0%
Lives rent free 1.7 0.3 1.6 0.2 1.6 0.2 1.7%
0.3%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

Unpaid care in Swansea

In 2021, 5.0% of Swansea residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 7.9% in 2011. These are age-standardised proportions.

Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.

In 2021, just under 1 in 40 people (2.3%) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 2.1% in 2011. The proportion of Swansea residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care decreased from 4.0% to 3.8%.

The decrease in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care in Swansea (2.9 percentage points) was similar to the decrease in nearby Carmarthenshire (2.7 percentage points). In nearby Carmarthenshire, the proportion fell from 7.6% in 2011 to 4.9% in 2021, while across Wales, the proportion fell from 7.4% to 4.7%.

Census 2021 was undertaken during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived and managed their provision of unpaid care, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.

Caution should be taken when making comparisons between 2011 and 2021 because of changes in question wording and response options.

The percentage of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care in Swansea decreased by 2.9 percentage points

Age-standardised proportion of usual residents (aged five years and over) by hours per week of unpaid care provision,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 86.1 88.9 87.0 89.5 87.0 89.5 86.1%
88.9%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 7.9 5.0 7.4 4.7 7.4 4.7 7.9%
5.0%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 2.1 2.3 1.9 2.2 1.9 2.2 2.1%
2.3%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 4.0 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.7 3.6 4.0%
3.8%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

Religion in Swansea

In 2021, 47.3% of Swansea residents reported having "No religion", making it the most common response in this local authority area (up from 34.0% in 2011). Because the census question about religious affiliation is voluntary and has varying response rates, caution is needed when comparing figures between different areas or between censuses.

Across Wales, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 32.1% to 46.5%.

In 2021, 41.3% of people in Swansea described themselves as Christian (down from 55.0%), while 6.7% did not state their religion (down from 7.5% the decade before).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as a changing age structure or residents relocating for work or education. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals chose to self-identify between censuses. Religious affiliation is the religion with which someone connects or identifies, rather than their beliefs or religious practice.

Read the bulletin Religion, England and Wales: Census 2021.

In 2021, 47.3% of usual residents in Swansea reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
No religion 34.0 47.3 32.1 46.5 32.1 46.5 34.0%
47.3%
Christian 55.0 41.3 57.6 43.6 57.6 43.6 55.0%
41.3%
Buddhist 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4%
0.4%
Hindu 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3%
0.4%
Jewish 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1%
0.1%
Muslim 2.3 3.2 1.5 2.2 1.5 2.2 2.3%
3.2%
Sikh 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1%
0.1%
Other 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4%
0.5%
Not answered 7.5 6.7 7.6 6.3 7.6 6.3 7.5%
6.7%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

Swansea residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 179,400 Swansea residents said they were born in Wales. This represented 75.2% of the local population. The figure has decreased from around 185,800 in 2011, which at the time represented 77.7% of Swansea's population.

England was the next most represented, with around 34,600 Swansea residents reporting this country of birth (14.5%). This figure was up from around 33,700 in 2011, which at the time represented 14.1% of the population of Swansea.

The number of Swansea residents born in Poland rose from around 1,300 in 2011 (0.6% of the local population) to around 2,200 in 2021 (0.9%).

In 2021, 75.2% of Swansea residents reported their country of birth as Wales

Percentage of usual residents by country of birth,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
Wales 77.7 75.2 72.7 70.9 72.7 70.9 77.7%
75.2%
England 14.1 14.5 20.8 21.2 20.8 21.2 14.1%
14.5%
Poland 0.6 0.9 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.8 0.6%
0.9%
Scotland 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.7%
0.6%
India 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5%
0.6%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
  1. This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in Swansea in 2021
  2. Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings

| |

National identity in Swansea

Of Swansea residents, 57.8% identified as "Welsh" (and no other national identity) in 2021, down from 60.9% in 2011.

In 2021, just over 1 in 11 people (9.2%) described themselves as "Welsh and British only", compared with 8.4% in 2011. The percentage of residents in Swansea that identified as "British only" increased from 16.0% to 17.1%.

The decrease in the percentage of people who identified as "Welsh only" was greater in Swansea (3.1 percentage points) than in nearby Carmarthenshire (2.7 percentage points). In nearby Carmarthenshire, the percentage fell from 64.8% in 2011 to 62.1% in 2021, while across Wales, the percentage fell from 57.5% to 55.2%.

In Census 2021, “British” was moved to the top response option and this may have influenced how people described their national identity. For further information, please see our quality report.

The percentage of people who identified as "Welsh only" in Swansea decreased by 3.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents by national identity,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
British only identity 16.0 17.1 16.9 18.5 16.9 18.5 16.0%
17.1%
Welsh only identity 60.9 57.8 57.5 55.2 57.5 55.2 60.9%
57.8%
Welsh and British only identity 8.4 9.2 7.1 8.1 7.1 8.1 8.4%
9.2%
English only identity 6.8 5.7 11.2 9.1 11.2 9.1 6.8%
5.7%
English and British only identity 1.1 1.3 1.5 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.1%
1.3%
Any other combination of only UK identities 1.5 1.6 1.8 1.9 1.8 1.9 1.5%
1.6%
Non-UK identity only 4.8 5.9 3.4 4.2 3.4 4.2 4.8%
5.9%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.5 1.5 0.4 1.2 0.4 1.2 0.5%
1.5%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

More adults never married or in a civil partnership

Of Swansea residents aged 16 years and over, 39.9% said they had never been married or in a civil partnership in 2021, up from 36.7% in 2011.

In 2021, just over 4 in 10 people (41.2%) said they were married or in a registered civil partnership, compared with 43.9% in 2011. The percentage of adults in Swansea that had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership increased from 9.5% to 9.7%.

This area had the country's third highest percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership and the third lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were married (or in a civil partnership). Across the country, only Cardiff (48.6%) and Gwynedd (40.1%) had a higher percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership.

These figures include same-sex marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships in 2021, neither of which were legally recognised in England and Wales in 2011. Same-sex marriages have been legally recognised in England and Wales since 2014 and opposite-sex civil partnerships have been recognised since 2019.

The percentage of adults who had never married or registered a civil partnership in Swansea increased by 3.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over by legal partnership status,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 36.7 39.9 33.5 37.2 33.5 37.2 36.7%
39.9%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 43.9 41.2 46.7 43.8 46.7 43.8 43.9%
41.2%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.0 2.2 2.0 2.3%
2.2%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 9.5 9.7 9.7 9.9 9.7 9.9 9.5%
9.7%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 7.7 7.0 7.9 7.1 7.9 7.1 7.7%
7.0%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

Change in employment

Of Swansea residents aged 16 years and over, 48.5% said they were employed (excluding full-time students) in 2021, down from 49.1% in 2011.

In 2021, around 1 in 40 people (2.5%) said they were unemployed, compared with 3.5% in 2011. The percentage of retired Swansea residents increased from 23.6% to 23.9%.

This area had the country's second lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed and the tenth highest percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were unemployed. Across the country, only Ceredigion, with 46.8%, had a lower percentage who were employed.

Census 2021 took place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a period of rapid and unparalleled change; the national lockdown, associated guidance and furlough measures will have affected the labour market and our ability to measure it.

The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were employed (excluding full-time students) in Swansea decreased by 0.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over by economic activity status,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 49.1 48.5 52.5 51.9 52.5 51.9 49.1%
48.5%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 3.5 2.5 3.9 2.5 3.9 2.5 3.5%
2.5%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 3.2 2.3 2.3 1.6 2.3 1.6 3.2%
2.3%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.9%
1.0%
Economically inactive: Retired 23.6 23.9 24.0 24.7 24.0 24.7 23.6%
23.9%
Economically inactive: Student 7.8 8.4 5.4 5.7 5.4 5.7 7.8%
8.4%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 3.4 4.2 3.5 4.3 3.5 4.3 3.4%
4.2%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 6.4 6.3 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.9 6.4%
6.3%
Economically inactive: Other 2.1 2.9 2.1 2.9 2.1 2.9 2.1%
2.9%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

Change in work hours

In 2021, 10.0% of Swansea residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked 15 hours or less per week. This figure decreased from 10.5% in 2011.

In 2021, just over 1 in 12 people (8.5%) said they worked over 49 hours per week, compared with 9.8% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week increased from 56.9% to 59.1%.

The percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week was 8.8% (similar to 2011) in nearby Carmarthenshire. Across Wales, the percentage fell from 9.3% to 9.0%.

Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Swansea decreased by 0.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over and in employment by the number of hours worked per week,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 10.5 10.0 9.3 9.0 9.3 9.0 10.5%
10.0%
16 to 30 hours worked 22.8 22.3 21.0 20.9 21.0 20.9 22.8%
22.3%
31 to 48 hours worked 56.9 59.1 57.8 59.8 57.8 59.8 56.9%
59.1%
49 or more hours worked 9.8 8.5 11.9 10.2 11.9 10.2 9.8%
8.5%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

Disability in Swansea

In 2021, 11.1% of Swansea residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. This figure decreased from 13.2% in 2011. These are age-standardised proportions.

Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.

In 2021, just over one in nine people (11.2%) were identified as being disabled and limited a little, compared with 11.3% in 2011. The proportion of Swansea residents who were not disabled increased from 75.5% to 77.8%.

The decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot was greater in nearby Carmarthenshire (2.5 percentage points) than in Swansea (2.1 percentage points). In nearby Carmarthenshire, the proportion fell from 13.0% in 2011 to 10.5% in 2021, while across Wales, the proportion fell from 12.3% to 10.0%.

Census 2021 was undertaken during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived their health status and activity limitations, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.

Caution should be taken when making comparisons between 2011 and 2021 because of changes in question wording and response options.

The percentage of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot in Swansea decreased by 2.1 percentage points

Age-standardised proportion of usual residents by long-term health condition or illness,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 13.2 11.1 12.3 10.0 12.3 10.0 13.2%
11.1%
Disabled and limited a little 11.3 11.2 11.1 11.1 11.1 11.1 11.3%
11.2%
Not disabled 75.5 77.8 76.6 78.9 76.6 78.9 75.5%
77.8%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

Health in Swansea

In 2021, 47.7% of Swansea residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 47.2% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" rose from 29.6% to 31.1%. These are age-standardised proportions.

Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.

The proportion of Swansea residents describing their health as "very bad" decreased from 2.2% to 1.9%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 6.4% to 5.5%.

These data reflect people’s own opinions in describing their overall health on a five point scale, from very good to very bad.

Census 2021 was conducted during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived and rated their health, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.

The percentage of people in very good health in Swansea increased by 0.5 percentage points

Age-standardised proportion of usual residents by self-reported health,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Swansea_% 2021_Swansea_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Swansea Percentage in undefined
Very good health 47.2 47.7 45.7 46.6 45.7 46.6 47.2%
47.7%
Good health 29.6 31.1 31.4 32.5 31.4 32.5 29.6%
31.1%
Fair health 14.6 13.9 15.0 14.1 15.0 14.1 14.6%
13.9%
Bad health 6.4 5.5 6.0 5.1 6.0 5.1 6.4%
5.5%
Very bad health 2.2 1.9 1.9 1.6 1.9 1.6 2.2%
1.9%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

| |

About the data

Census data are adjusted to reflect estimated non-response so that the published results relate to the entire usually resident population as it was on Census Day (21 March 2021).

Those respondents who were on furlough because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were asked to classify themselves as "temporarily away from work" to ensure they remained in the economically active population.

Students are counted as usually resident at their term-time address even if they were not physically present there on Census Day.

The questions relating to disability differed slightly between 2011 and 2021 to ensure that data were more closely aligned with the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010). There was also a change to question wording for unpaid care, for more information read the health, disability and unpaid care quality information.

Age-standardised proportions are used throughout the health, disability and unpaid care sections. They allow for fairer comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure. The 2013 European Standard Population is used to standardise proportions.

Percentages and percentage point changes have been individually rounded to one decimal place. This means they may not sum exactly.

Tell us what you think about this publication by answering a few questions.

Download the data used in this article

xlsx (1.5 MB)

About these articles

There is an article like this for every local authority district in England and Wales. The articles have been written and semi-automated by our data journalists and are a new publishing format for the Office for National Statistics.

Topics are chosen and ordered automatically based on how relevant they are for each area, however all data are checked before publishing.

We have not included topics that were new for Census 2021 or where there is no comparability with the 2011 Census. Read about how we developed and tested the questions for Census 2021.

These articles were first published on 8 December 2022 covering topics such as demography, country of birth, ethnic groups, religion, national identity and economic activity status. They were updated on 19 January 2023 following the release of more data from Census 2021 and now include housing tenure, general health, disability and unpaid care.

All versions of this article

Related links

Census 2021 topic summaries

Supporting information | Released 2 November 2022

What topic summary data for Census 2021 will be available and how to view them.

Census maps

Interactive tool | Released 8 December 2022

Use our interactive map to find out what people’s lives are like across England and Wales.

How well do you know your area?

Digital Content Article | Released 2 December 2022

Test your knowledge of where you live with our Census quiz.

Contact

census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk

Telephone: +44 1329 44 4972

↑ Back to the top