Elected Member Briefing Note 2023, Issue 95
About this briefing note
Report by: Jill Marples, Research and Consultation Officer
Date: 13 September 2023
Subject: Scotland's Census, First Outputs
To provide information about the first outputs from Scotland's Census 2022 which have been published today.
Background information
The first release was published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today (14 September 2023 at 9:30am). This release includes:
- Population estimates by age and sex at Scotland and local authority level (rounded)
- Number of households estimates at Scotland and local authority level (rounded)
Alongside the data tables there is commentary and analysis to include comparing results against previous censuses. Supporting information on quality assurance process and the methods used to produce these estimates is also published.
This release of data is the first step in publishing a wide range of unique data that will be used by government and other public bodies to plan vital public services and infrastructure across Scotland in the years to come.
About Scotland's Census
For more than 200 years Scotland has used the data the census provides, and it remains the best way to gather vital information about Scotland's people which local and central government, the NHS and a range of other data users in the public, private and third sectors need.
There has been a census in Scotland every 10 years since 1801, except 1941. The 2021 census in Scotland was moved to 2022 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Census asks questions on a range of topics, including the types of accommodation people stay in, household relationships, age, sex, health and employment status. New questions for the 2022 census included use of on British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, sexual orientation, trans status and previous armed forces service history.
Scotland's Census 2022 was launched on 28 February 2022 with a call for households across Scotland to complete their return. Census Day was 20 March 2022, but households could complete their return from 28 February, on the understanding that responses should reflect their circumstances on Census Day. For the first time Census returns could be made online with paper questionnaires available for those who wished to use them.
The return rate for Perth and Kinross as reported by NRS on 16 November 2022 was 90.5% with a national return rate of 89%.
Since the census collection period in 2022, NRS has been working closely with the International Steering Group (ISG). The ISG, made up of census and statistical experts from across the world, was established to provide independent external advice on the quality of Scotland's Census and the statistical approaches that will be used to produce high quality census outputs.
Key facts from the results
- Scotland's Census 2022 estimated the population of Perth and Kinross to be 150,800.
- An increase of 4,100 (2.8%) from Census 2011 (Scotland 2.7%)
- A decrease of 3,500 (2.3%) from the rolled forward mid-year population estimate.
NRS comment that "most of the council areas in the Central Belt saw increases in their populations, particularly those around Edinburgh. These increases were driven by migration from within Scotland and from elsewhere." Migration is a key driver of population change in urban areas and we know that people move for different reasons. Also, "We'll get a deeper understanding of these drivers when we publish more data next year. Future census publications will give us a deeper understanding of population change over time, not just for cities, but for the communities within them and across Scotland." (NRS 2023).
- No change in the proportion of females (51.3%) and males (48.7%) in Perth and Kinross when compared to 2011 and no significant difference to the national ratio.
- There are now estimated to be over 37,000 people aged 65 and over in Perth and Kinross, accounting for one 24.7% of our population (Scotland; 20.1%). This proportion has increased from 20.2% in 2011.
- The number of people aged 65+ in Perth and Kinross is now over fifteen thousand higher than the number of people under 15.
- Census 2022 estimates that 14.7% of the Perth and Kinross population are aged 0-14 years (Scotland 15.3%), this proportion has decreased from 15.9% in 2011.
- Census 2022 estimates that 60.6% of the Perth and Kinross population are aged 15-64 years (Scotland 64.6%), this proportion has decreased from 63.9 % in 2011.
- The usual resident population density of Perth and Kinross is estimated by the Census 2022 to be 28.5 usual residents per square kilometre (Scotland, 69.8). Perth and Kinross is the 7th least densely populated council area in Scotland.
- Scotland's Census 2022 estimated the number of households (households with at least one usual resident) in Perth and Kinross to be 70,000.
- An increase of 5,200 (8%) from Census 2011
- A decrease of 900 (1.3%) from the rolled forward household estimate.
Further outputs
Following the first population estimates released today, NRS will publish further results from the Census 2022 from Spring 2024 onwards. This will include detailed population data which supports community planning.
- In Spring 2024, the following data will be published at output area (made up of approximately 50 households):
- Population by age and sex at all geographies down to output area (unrounded)
- Number of households at all geographies down to output area (unrounded)
Further univariate and multivariate topical data will be released in Summer 2024 onwards.