/visualisations/censusareachanges/W06000018/

Caerphilly's population decreased

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Caerphilly fell by 1.6%, from around 178,800 in 2011 to around 176,000 in 2021.

This means Caerphilly 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, Caerphilly was home to around 4.5 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 4.6 in 2011. 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 Caerphilly decreased by around 1.6%

Percentage population change, Caerphilly and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
Wales ▲1.4% Caerphilly ▼-1.6%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

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

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An older Caerphilly

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Caerphilly increased by two years, from 40 to 42 years of age.

This area had a slightly lower average (median) age than nearby Blaenau Gwent (43 years) and had a similar average (median) age to 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 around 3,200 (an increase of 19.1%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by around 4,900 (13.0% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 65 and 74 years increased by 2.0 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.7 2.4 2.7 1.9%
2.2%
75 to 84 years 5.3 6.7 6.1 7.1 6.1 7.1 5.3%
6.7%
65 to 74 years 9.3 11.3 9.8 11.6 9.8 11.6 9.3%
11.3%
50 to 64 years 19.3 20.7 19.4 20.5 19.4 20.5 19.3%
20.7%
35 to 49 years 21.1 18.7 20.1 17.6 20.1 17.6 21.1%
18.7%
25 to 34 years 12.4 12.7 11.8 12.3 11.8 12.3 12.4%
12.7%
20 to 24 years 6.1 5.1 6.9 6.0 6.9 6.0 6.1%
5.1%
16 to 19 years 5.1 4.3 5.3 4.6 5.3 4.6 5.1%
4.3%
10 to 15 years 7.4 7.3 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.4%
7.3%
5 to 9 years 5.8 5.9 5.3 5.7 5.3 5.7 5.8%
5.9%
4 years and under 6.3 5.2 5.8 5.0 5.8 5.0 6.3%
5.2%

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

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Change in number of Welsh language speakers

The percentage of Welsh speakers in Caerphilly remained at 10.5% in 2021.

In 2021, there were around 1,400 fewer Welsh-speaking Caerphilly residents (over the age of three years) compared with 2011. The number of people who did not speak Welsh increased by 150.

In nearby Blaenau Gwent, 6.2% of people over the age of three years could speak Welsh, down from 7.8% 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 Caerphilly decreased by 0.7 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
Cannot speak Welsh 88.8 89.5 81.0 82.2 81.0 82.2 88.8%
89.5%
Can speak Welsh 11.2 10.5 19.0 17.8 19.0 17.8 11.2%
10.5%

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

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Fewer couples with dependent children

Caerphilly saw Wales' second-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of households including a couple with dependent children (from 20.6% in 2011 to 17.9% in 2021).

Wales' largest decrease in the percentage of households including a couple with dependent children occurred in Monmouthshire (from 20.5% to 17.2%).

During this period, Caerphilly went from having the highest to the fifth-highest percentage of households including a couple with dependent children (out of all 22 Welsh local authority areas).

The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children in Caerphilly decreased by 2.6 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 12.3 13.8 13.7 14.6 13.7 14.6 12.3%
13.8%
One-person household: Other 14.8 16.3 17.1 17.3 17.1 17.3 14.8%
16.3%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 17.7 16.4 17.2 16.5 17.2 16.5 17.7%
16.4%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 20.6 17.9 18.4 16.9 18.4 16.9 20.6%
17.9%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 8.3 7.8 6.8 6.9 6.8 6.9 8.3%
7.8%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 13.0 13.6 11.4 12.0 11.4 12.0 13.0%
13.6%
Other household types 13.4 14.2 15.4 15.8 15.4 15.8 13.4%
14.2%

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

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Disability in Caerphilly

Caerphilly saw Wales' second-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as disabled and limited a little (from 12.1% in 2011 to 11.5% in 2021). 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.

Wales' largest decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as disabled and limited a little occurred in Merthyr Tydfil (from 11.8% to 11.1%).

During this period, Caerphilly went from having the highest to the fifth-highest proportion of people who were identified as disabled and limited a little (out of all 22 Welsh local authority areas).

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 little in Caerphilly decreased by 0.6 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 15.3 12.0 12.3 10.0 12.3 10.0 15.3%
12.0%
Disabled and limited a little 12.1 11.5 11.1 11.1 11.1 11.1 12.1%
11.5%
Not disabled 72.6 76.4 76.6 78.9 76.6 78.9 72.6%
76.4%

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

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Fall in unemployment

Caerphilly saw Wales' third-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were unemployed (from 4.7% in 2011 to 2.6% in 2021).

Wales' largest decreases in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were unemployed occurred in Blaenau Gwent (from 6.2% to 2.9%) followed by Merthyr Tydfil (from 5.2% to 2.8%).

Every local authority area across Wales saw a fall in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were unemployed, as the percentage across Wales fell from 3.9% to 2.5%.

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 unemployed (excluding full-time students) in Caerphilly decreased by 2.1 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 52.6 52.8 52.5 51.9 52.5 51.9 52.6%
52.8%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 4.7 2.6 3.9 2.5 3.9 2.5 4.7%
2.6%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 1.5 1.1 2.3 1.6 2.3 1.6 1.5%
1.1%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.5%
0.5%
Economically inactive: Retired 22.8 23.6 24.0 24.7 24.0 24.7 22.8%
23.6%
Economically inactive: Student 4.1 4.1 5.4 5.7 5.4 5.7 4.1%
4.1%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 3.9 4.8 3.5 4.3 3.5 4.3 3.9%
4.8%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 7.7 7.6 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.9 7.7%
7.6%
Economically inactive: Other 2.2 2.9 2.1 2.9 2.1 2.9 2.2%
2.9%

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

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Change in work hours

In 2021, 7.2% of Caerphilly residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked 15 hours or less per week. This figure decreased from 7.6% 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 63.2% to 64.8%.

This area had the country's third lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week and the third lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week. Across the country, only Blaenau Gwent (6.8%) and Merthyr Tydfil (7.1%) had a lower percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week.

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

The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Caerphilly decreased by 0.4 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_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 7.6 7.2 9.3 9.0 9.3 9.0 7.6%
7.2%
16 to 30 hours worked 19.5 19.5 21.0 20.9 21.0 20.9 19.5%
19.5%
31 to 48 hours worked 63.2 64.8 57.8 59.8 57.8 59.8 63.2%
64.8%
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

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Religion in Caerphilly

In 2021, 56.7% of Caerphilly residents reported having "No religion", making it the most common response in this local authority area (up from 40.9% 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, 36.4% of people in Caerphilly described themselves as Christian (down from 50.7%), while 5.7% 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, 56.7% of usual residents in Caerphilly reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
No religion 40.9 56.7 32.1 46.5 32.1 46.5 40.9%
56.7%
Christian 50.7 36.4 57.6 43.6 57.6 43.6 50.7%
36.4%
Buddhist 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2%
0.2%
Hindu 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.1%
0.1%
Jewish 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0%
0.0%
Muslim 0.2 0.3 1.5 2.2 1.5 2.2 0.2%
0.3%
Sikh 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1%
0.1%
Other 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4%
0.4%
Not answered 7.5 5.7 7.6 6.3 7.6 6.3 7.5%
5.7%

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

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Marriage and civil partnership in Caerphilly

Caerphilly saw Wales' third-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over who were married (or in a civil partnership) (from 48.1% in 2011 to 44.2% in 2021).

Wales' largest decreases in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were married (or in a civil partnership) occurred in Neath Port Talbot (from 47.5% to 42.9%) followed by Wrexham (from 48.0% to 43.8%).

In 2021, Caerphilly was ranked 12th-highest out of the 22 Welsh local authority areas for the percentage of adults who were married or in a civil partnership. In 2011, it was ranked 11th-highest.

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 were married or in a civil partnership in Caerphilly decreased by 3.9 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 32.3 36.7 33.5 37.2 33.5 37.2 32.3%
36.7%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 48.1 44.2 46.7 43.8 46.7 43.8 48.1%
44.2%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.1 2.0 2.2 2.0 2.2 2.0 2.1%
2.0%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 9.9 10.0 9.7 9.9 9.7 9.9 9.9%
10.0%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 7.6 7.1 7.9 7.1 7.9 7.1 7.6%
7.1%

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

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Rise in private renting

In 2021, 13.3% of Caerphilly households rented privately. This figure increased from 10.7% in 2011.

In 2021, just under one in five households (18.8%) lived in socially rented housing, compared with 18.7% in 2011. The percentage of Caerphilly households that owned their home (outright or with a mortgage or loan) decreased from 69.3% to 67.5%.

This area had the country's third lowest percentage of privately-rented homes and the eighth highest percentage of households in the social rented sector. Across the country, only Torfaen (11.2%) and Flintshire (13.2%) had a lower percentage of privately-rented homes.

Private renting in Caerphilly increased by 2.6 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 69.3 67.5 67.4 66.1 67.4 66.1 69.3%
67.5%
Shared ownership 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3%
0.3%
Social rented 18.7 18.8 16.5 16.5 16.5 16.5 18.7%
18.8%
Private rented 10.7 13.3 14.1 17.0 14.1 17.0 10.7%
13.3%
Lives rent free 0.9 0.1 1.6 0.2 1.6 0.2 0.9%
0.1%

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

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Unpaid care in Caerphilly

In 2021, 4.6% of Caerphilly residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 7.3% 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 1 in 40 people (2.6%) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 2.1% in 2011. The proportion of Caerphilly residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care remained at 4.3%.

The decrease in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care was greater in Caerphilly (2.7 percentage points) than in nearby Blaenau Gwent (2.4 percentage points). In nearby Blaenau Gwent, the proportion fell from 6.6% in 2011 to 4.2% 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 Caerphilly decreased by 2.7 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_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 86.2 88.6 87.0 89.5 87.0 89.5 86.2%
88.6%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 7.3 4.6 7.4 4.7 7.4 4.7 7.3%
4.6%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 2.1 2.6 1.9 2.2 1.9 2.2 2.1%
2.6%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 4.3 4.3 3.7 3.6 3.7 3.6 4.3%
4.3%

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

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National identity in Caerphilly

The decrease in the percentage of people who identified as "Welsh only" was greater in nearby Blaenau Gwent (4.5 percentage points) than in Caerphilly (2.0 percentage points).

In Caerphilly, the percentage of people who identified as "Welsh only" decreased from 71.2% in 2011 to 69.2% in 2021. During the same period, the percentage in nearby Blaenau Gwent decreased from 72.4% to 68.0%.

The percentage of people who identified as "Welsh and British only" in Caerphilly increased from 8.6% to 9.5%, while the percentage of people who identified as "British only" increased from 12.8% to 13.3%.

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 Caerphilly decreased by 2.0 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
British only identity 12.8 13.3 16.9 18.5 16.9 18.5 12.8%
13.3%
Welsh only identity 71.2 69.2 57.5 55.2 57.5 55.2 71.2%
69.2%
Welsh and British only identity 8.6 9.5 7.1 8.1 7.1 8.1 8.6%
9.5%
English only identity 4.3 3.9 11.2 9.1 11.2 9.1 4.3%
3.9%
English and British only identity 0.5 0.7 1.5 1.8 1.5 1.8 0.5%
0.7%
Any other combination of only UK identities 1.2 1.3 1.8 1.9 1.8 1.9 1.2%
1.3%
Non-UK identity only 1.2 1.6 3.4 4.2 3.4 4.2 1.2%
1.6%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.2 0.6 0.4 1.2 0.4 1.2 0.2%
0.6%

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

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Caerphilly residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 153,700 Caerphilly residents said they were born in Wales. This represented 87.3% of the local population. The figure has decreased from just under 158,500 in 2011, which at the time represented 88.6% of Caerphilly's population.

England was the next most represented, with around 16,000 Caerphilly residents reporting this country of birth (9.1%). This figure was up from around 15,000 in 2011, which at the time represented 8.4% of the population of Caerphilly.

The number of Caerphilly residents born in Scotland fell from around 850 in 2011 (0.5% of the local population) to around 800 in 2021 (0.5%).

In 2021, 87.3% of Caerphilly residents reported their country of birth as Wales

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
Wales 88.6 87.3 72.7 70.9 72.7 70.9 88.6%
87.3%
England 8.4 9.1 20.8 21.2 20.8 21.2 8.4%
9.1%
Scotland 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.5%
0.5%
Germany 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3%
0.3%
Poland 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.8 0.2%
0.3%

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

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Health in Caerphilly

In 2021, 43.6% of Caerphilly residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 42.3% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" rose from 30.6% to 32.3%. 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 Caerphilly residents describing their health as "very bad" decreased from 2.3% to 2.0%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 7.7% to 6.4%.

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 Caerphilly increased by 1.3 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
Very good health 42.3 43.6 45.7 46.6 45.7 46.6 42.3%
43.6%
Good health 30.6 32.3 31.4 32.5 31.4 32.5 30.6%
32.3%
Fair health 17.1 15.7 15.0 14.1 15.0 14.1 17.1%
15.7%
Bad health 7.7 6.4 6.0 5.1 6.0 5.1 7.7%
6.4%
Very bad health 2.3 2.0 1.9 1.6 1.9 1.6 2.3%
2.0%

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

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Ethnic groups in Caerphilly

In 2021, 1.0% of Caerphilly residents identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category, up from 0.7% in 2011. The 0.3 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across Wales, the percentage of people from "Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups" increased from 1.0% to 1.6%.

In 2021, 97.7% of people in Caerphilly identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 98.3% in 2011), while 0.9% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (compared with 0.8% the previous decade).

The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group") increased from 0.1% in 2011 to 0.2% 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, 1.0% of usual residents in Caerphilly identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Caerphilly_% 2021_Caerphilly_% 2011_Wales_% 2021_Wales_% 2011_Wales_%2021_Wales_% Percentage in Caerphilly Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 0.8 0.9 2.3 2.9 2.3 2.9 0.8%
0.9%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.9 0.6 0.9 0.1%
0.2%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 0.7 1.0 1.0 1.6 1.0 1.6 0.7%
1.0%
White 98.3 97.7 95.6 93.8 95.6 93.8 98.3%
97.7%
Other ethnic groups 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.9 0.5 0.9 0.1%
0.2%

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

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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.

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Download the data used in this article

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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

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