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In partnership with Scottish Government Demographic survey arrives at Scottish households Time to put the record straight: Shape the future of our nation with Scotland’s Census 2022
An important letter will be dropping through the letter boxes of the 2.7 million households in Scotland from tomorrow – for Scotland’s Census 2022.
It’s been 11 years since the last census – which usually happens every 10 years – but was postponed because of the pandemic. Interestingly, this is only the second time since 1801 the census did not happen when it was supposed to – the first time was during the Second World War in 1941.
From tomorrow you will be legally obliged to take part in this national count of the people in Scotland.
As well as giving the National Records of Scotland (which is responsible for the census) important information on the country’s population, it also has the potential for us to shape the future of Scotland and how money is spent.
For those who have filled in a census before – this year it will be slightly different as the preferred method of answering the questions in the form will be online at census. gov.scot using an internet access code that will be printed in your letter.
For those who have disabilities, are elderly or have hearing or visual impairments, or if you would prefer not to submit answers online, you can complete your census using the traditional method, and request a paper copy to be posted out to you..
In the census questionnaire, you – and 5.5 million others – will be asked 20 about your household and up to 45 questions about each person who stays there. This will cover age, sex and health, as well as whether you are employed or in education. Religion and ethnicity will also be recorded as well as whether those in the household drive a car.
Some of the new questions you can expect to see in Scotland Census 2022, which were not included in the last one in 2011, are about: sexual orientation, British Sign Language users, passport holders, and if you or anyone in your household has served in the armed forces.
“A lot has changed since the first census, not least the level of detail the questions go into,” states the Scotland’s Census website.
“The modern census questionnaire collects much more information than its 1801 version. But with this comes a more detailed picture of the population. The way we collect and publish census information has also changed. What was once a paper-based process is now mainly online.”
And it is still adding value, as the Scottish Government’s website explained: “What has not changed is that the census remains the only
survey of its kind to offer such an accurate and detailed snapshot of Scotland’s population over such a long time.”
The majority of people know a little about the census – and you will have no doubt seen advertisements on bus stops, billboards and television about Scotland’s Census as part of its recent marketing campaign – but are you aware of its importance?
The census is the only survey of its type in Scotland and is the only source of such detailed information about the population.
Knowing how many people are in Scotland’s population every 10 years is vital to the National Records of Scotland and the Scottish Government as it determines how and where money will be spent. Our answers in the questionnaire can have a positive impact on the number of schools in the area; roads we drive our cars on; and how many hospitals there are.
Did you know that it is a legal responsibility?
Every householder in Scotland is required to complete the census on behalf of their household. That is the person who lives, or is present, at an address who owns or rents (or jointly owns/rents) the accommodation and is responsible (or jointly responsible) for paying the household bills and expenses.
Census Day is March 20, that’s when everyone should complete the document, but you can begin filling it in as soon as you receive your letter.
From tomorrow you can receive help and support with your census by calling 0800 030 8308 or visiting: census.gov.scot