2022

More than 37,500 households have started but not yet submitted their census online according to new figures released by National Records of Scotland today.

Householders who have started their census but not yet submitted are being urged to fulfil their legal responsibility and complete the census before it closes at the end of the month.

Over four out of five households across the country have already completed the census; for those who have yet to do so, help and support is available.

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture said:

“If you’re among the 37,500 households who have started the census online but have yet to submit it please do it now - we’re counting on you.

“Thank you to the more than four out of five households who have already filled in their census both online and in paper. Every household has a legal responsibility to complete the census but it’s more than that; we have a duty to our families and our communities to take part.

“Census data is at the heart of big decisions on services and infrastructure like schools, hospitals, housing and roads. Filling in the census allows you to have your voice heard and influence decisions that impact your family, your friends and your community.”

Paul Lowe, Chief Executive of NRS, said:

“Time is running out to complete your census. Filling in the census helps us build a complete picture of Scotland’s population - every return really does makes a difference.

“If you have yet to complete, there is an enormous amount of help and support available for people to fill it in online or on paper.

“We have staff working in communities every day, with 1.4 million address visits undertaken; we’ve had hundreds of thousands of conversations by phone, email and webchat through our contact centre. We also continue to participate in a range of community events up and down the country to reach as many people as possible. But don’t wait for us to come to you: go online or call us if you need help.”

The website is census.gov.scot and the helpline number is 0800 030 8308.

With less than two weeks remaining to complete Scotland’s Census 2022, the nation’s towns and cities will be getting additional support this weekend to help people fulfil their legal responsibility. 

Four public events will be held across the greater Glasgow area at supermarkets, universities and colleges to help people meet the end of May deadline. In addition, teams will be visiting faith centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Tayside, with further events planned for the following weekend in the Glasgow area and in North Ayrshire. 

More than one million household visits have already been undertaken by census field teams, and from the 16th week staff have also been working with householders to complete their census on the doorstep - online or on paper - as part of a package of support measures to encourage completion.

Census returns must be submitted by the end of May; failure to do so could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, said:

“It’s great that we are seeing a steady increase in census response rates right across Scotland, but it is vital that we secure as high a response rate as possible so that the census can be effective in delivering its many benefits for future public services. Census data informs how and where public money is spent on vital services, from the building of new schools and hospitals to improving transport links and understanding health needs. 

“There will be more support available this weekend as we continue to engage with households and communities across the country. I would encourage anyone that hasn’t completed their census to take advantage of this help and fill it in before it is too late.

“Information and guidance is also available online at census.gov.scot, and you can speak to an agent on our free helpline 0800 030 8308 if you have specific questions or need a paper questionnaire. Language interpretation is also available via our helpline and the census form is also available on paper with guidance available in Braille, large print and audio.” 

This weekend’s community events will be taking place at: 

You can complete the census online at census.gov.scot. If you need one you can get a new internet access code from the website via text, email or letter or via the helpline on 0800 030 8308. You can also complete on a paper form which can be ordered from the free helpline or online. 

Scotland’s Census 2022 will benefit Scotland for many years; it 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 this year’s census include use of British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, previous armed forces history and new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and trans status.

As at 15 May 2022, 14,699 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

In the week 9 to 15 May, 60 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, a decrease of 27 deaths from the previous week.

46 of the deaths were aged 75 or older, seven were aged 65 to 74, and seven were under 65. 21 were female and 39 were male.

There were five deaths in Fife and five deaths in Renfrewshire, with four deaths in each of Aberdeenshire, Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire, and South Lanarkshire.

In total, 23 council areas (out of 32) had at least one death involving COVID-19 last week.

44 were in hospitals, nine were in care homes, and seven were at home or a non-institutional setting.

Our monthly analysis shows that the age standardised death rate for deaths involving COVID-19 was lower in April 2022 (112 per 100,000) compared to March 2022 (147 per 100,000). Throughout the pandemic, the highest rate was 585 deaths per 100,000 people in April 2020.

Of the 14,616 deaths involving COVID-19 between March 2020 and April 2022, 93% (13,606) had at least one pre-existing condition. Just under one quarter of people whose death involved COVID-19 had dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. This was the most common main pre-existing condition.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show that last week there were 60 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This is 27 fewer deaths than the previous week.

“The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in the latest week was 1,221, which is 176, or 17%, more than the five year average.”

There have been nine deaths in Scotland in which the underlying cause of death was due to the adverse effects of vaccination against COVID-19, and two further deaths where an adverse effect was mentioned on the death certificate. This is no increase from the figure reported last month. By 30 April 2022, statistics from Public Health Scotland state that 4.4 million people had been given at least one vaccine dose.

The publication Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland is available on the NRS website.

Background

Since 23 March we have ceased publishing weekly news releases and full reports but continue to update the weekly COVID-19 death information in our data and charts spreadsheet. We publish a full report and news release at 9.30 am once a month.

NRS figures include deaths where ‘suspected’ or ‘probable’ COVID-19 appears on the death certificate.

Data are provisional and subject to change in future weekly publications. The 2021 data will be finalised in summer 2022.

Media enquiries should be directed to:
Donna Green
NRS Communications
Tel: 07775-027-380
Email: [email protected]

Further information about the statistics is available from:
NRS Customer Services
Email: [email protected]

Census staff have carried out more than 1 million doorstep visits in the drive to support households to complete their census, according to new figures from National Records of Scotland (NRS).

From today census staff will also be working with householders to complete their census on the doorstep - online or on paper - as part of a package of support measures to encourage completion.

Census returns must be submitted by the end of May; failure to do so could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.

Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, said:

“It is vital that we secure as high a response rate as possible so that the census can be effective in delivering its many benefits for future public services. Census data informs how and where public money is spent on vital services, from the building of new schools and hospitals to improving transport links and understanding health needs.

“From today, households will be offered extra help to complete their census at their door by a member of our team. I would encourage everyone to take up this offer and fill in their census as soon as possible.

“Information and guidance is also available online at census.gov.scot, and you can speak to an agent on our free helpline 0800 030 8308 if you have specific questions or need a paper questionnaire. Language interpretation is also available via our helpline and the census form is also available on paper with guidance available in Braille, large print and audio.”

Paul Lowe, NRS Chief Executive, added:

“Thank you to those who have already completed the census. By taking part you are ensuring not just your own needs are captured but those of your family and your community too.

“This information helps to ensure that the right services are provided in the right places. It is used by the Scottish Government, local councils, charities and a host of other organisations who provide essential services.”

“I would urge everyone who has not completed to do so immediately and before the end of May, to avoid the risk of prosecution.”

You can complete the census online at census.gov.scot. If you need one you can get a new internet access code from the website via text, email or letter or via the call centre on 0800 030 8308. You can also complete on a paper form which can be ordered from the free helpline or online.

Scotland’s Census 2022 will benefit Scotland for many years; it 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 this year’s census include use of British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, previous armed forces history and new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and trans status.

As households across Scotland are urged to complete their census return by the end of the month, Scotland’s ‘next generation’ are also being engaged and inspired to learn more about the once-in-a-decade opportunity to shape their future, using new classroom tools.

Teachers across Scotland are being encouraged to use “Speak Census”, a range of educational materials to help encourage children to learn about the census and the benefits it offers to local communities.

Designed to work alongside the Curriculum for Excellence and supported by Education Scotland, the Speak Census teaching materials are aimed at primary school-aged children, with in-class activities to help support lessons about the census.

Chief Executive for National Records of Scotland, Paul Lowe said:

“Speak Census is helping the next generation of young people understand what the census is and why it is so important to their local area and the future of their nation.

“I’d encourage all schools and organisations working with children to make use of these free resources. These will not only help our young people better understand the important task that their parents, carers and guardians are undertaking right now but will also support them in the future, when it is their turn to participate. We want to continue to maximise this ongoing enthusiasm across the nation to complete the census before the end of May.

"Help and support is available on our website census.gov.scot or via our free helpline 0800 030 8308. Paper forms are also still available on request for those who need them.”

Senior Education Officer for Social Studies at Education Scotland, Lynne Robertson said:

“Education Scotland is pleased to support these materials for schools.  The census is an important feature of our social landscape and learning about it will help our children and young people to become the responsible citizens and effective contributors of the future.”

Find out more at www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/speak-census.

More than 340,000 calls have been dealt with by the free helpline for Scotland’s Census, along with a further 60,000 e-mails and web chat enquiries, according to new figures published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) today.

This has included providing interpretation support in 26 languages including Polish, Arabic and Mandarin through the census interpretation service.

NRS is encouraging everyone who has not yet completed their census to access the range of support available to them by calling the free helpline on 0800 030 8308, by visiting the website census.gov.scot for advice or to use web chat.

Chief Executive for National Records of Scotland, Paul Lowe said:

“I know that some have not yet completed their return because they need help or are unsure of what to do. We have a range of support in place to help with any query no matter how big or small. We have been delighted to provide support and advice to many thousands already.

“For anyone who is worried or is struggling with any aspect of their census, we are here to help. Please don’t ignore the census - it’s a legal responsibility for every householder in the country. As well as interpretation support, guidance is available for each question in a variety of formats including braille, large print and Contact Scotland BSL service. Paper forms are also still available on request for those who need them.”

Eight out of ten households have now submitted their census returns, National Records of Scotland (NRS) confirmed today.

Following the announcement last week by Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, that the deadline to submit responses is to be extended to the end of May, well over 2.1m households (80%) have now filled in their census either online or in paper form.

Every household has a legal responsibility to complete their census; failure to do so could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.

Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson said:

"By allowing outstanding online and paper returns to be submitted until the end of May, we can ensure that everyone across the country has the opportunity to complete their return and help to shape important services in their community.

"Thank you to everyone who has filled in their census already. It is vital that we secure as high a response rate as possible so that the census can be effective in delivering its many benefits for future public services. For anyone that hasn’t completed their census, please fill it in now."

Paul Lowe, Chief Executive for National Records of Scotland said:

"Thank you to the eight out of ten householders across Scotland who have already done their bit and filled in their census. Can I pay particular tribute to the people of Aberdeenshire, South Ayrshire and Na h-Eileanan Siar where over 85% of households have completed and returned their census.

"If you’ve been holding off submitting - for whatever reason - please don’t miss this final opportunity to submit your response. Help and support is available on our website census.gov.scot or via our free helpline 0800 030 8308. Paper forms are also still available on request for those who need them."

The 2022 census will benefit Scotland for many years; it 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 include use of British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, previous armed forces history and new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and trans status.

Background:

An extension to the census collection period has occurred internationally. Countries including Poland, Japan and the United States of America have all taken similar steps in recent years to ensure maximum participation. England and Wales also extended their collection in respect of specific communal establishments for a period of 3-4 weeks after closure of in their 2021 census and returns in Northern Ireland continued to be accepted after the closing date. An extension to the census collection period remains a legitimate, and often used, process to facilitate engagement with the census process.

Householders across Scotland are being offered a short extension until the end of May to complete their census return, National Records of Scotland (NRS) confirmed today.

By allowing outstanding online and paper returns to be submitted over a further four weeks, NRS is ensuring that everyone across the country has the opportunity to complete their return and help to shape important services in their community. Around 68,000 households have begun their census returns online but have not yet been completed and a similar number of requested paper forms have yet to be returned.

Every household is legally required to complete their returns and people living in Scotland are reminded that failing to do so could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture said:

“We have now seen well over two million household returns across Scotland and I want to say a huge thank you to those who have done so. However, it's essential we maximise participation and ensure that everyone is heard and their needs captured. That is why the census completion site will be left open, support will remain in place and NRS will continue to accept paper returns for this short extension period. We know that there are many people who have begun the census online but haven’t completed it, and that thousands of others have requested a paper copy but haven’t yet returned it.

“It is vital that we secure as high a response rate as possible so that the census can be effective in delivering its many benefits for future public services. For anyone that hasn’t completed their census, I would urge them to act now.”

National Records of Scotland Chief Executive Paul Lowe added:

“With the 1^st May deadline approaching we are continuing to receive a high volume of census returns both online and in paper and each day our contact centre is continuing to support many householders keen to submit their returns. We want to maximise this ongoing enthusiasm and support from across the nation to complete the census and so have put in place a short extension to ensure everyone’s return counts.

“Help and support to complete your census is available on our website census.gov.scot or via our free helpline 0800 030 8308. Paper forms are also still available on request for those who need them.”

The 2022 census will benefit Scotland for many years; it 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 include use of British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, previous armed forces history and new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and trans status.

Background:

An extension to the census collection period has occurred internationally. Countries including Poland, Japan and the United States of America have all taken similar steps in recent years to ensure maximum participation. England and Wales also extended their enumeration of some specific communal establishments for a period of 3-4 weeks in their 2021 census. An extension to the census collection period remains a legitimate, and often used, process to facilitate engagement with the census process.

With less than a week to go to complete Scotland’s Census, Scots are being urged not to miss the deadline to fulfil their legal responsibility.

The census is due to close on May 1 and anyone who fails to submit their response by then could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1000. 

National Records of Scotland Chief Executive Paul Lowe added: 

“Time is running out to get your completed census return in by 01 May. It only takes a matter of minutes to complete online, or you can fill it out on paper.  Thank you to everyone that has submitted their response so far. I urge anyone who hasn’t submitted their census return to do so immediately, not only are you helping your community but it is also a legal responsibility. 

“With only six days to go, we are still here to help and support those who need it, further information can be found on our website census.gov.scot or through our free helpline 0800 030 8308. Paper forms are still available on request for those who need them.” 

The 2022 census will benefit Scotland for many years; it 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 include use of British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, previous armed forces history and new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and trans status. 

Census letters have been issued to more than 2.7 million households representing 5.5 million people. 

A census of the population has been taken every 10 years in Scotland since 1801, with the exception of 1941, because of World War Two and in 2021 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

For more information and to complete the census online, visit census.gov.scot
 

As Scotland’s Census enters its final week National Records of Scotland (NRS) confirmed today that 700,000 householders across Scotland have yet to fulfil their legal responsibility and submit their return.

NRS reported that the number completing the census varies across the country, with less than two thirds of households in Glasgow having completed their census, compared with more than eight out of every ten households in Aberdeenshire.

With the census due to close on 1 May every household across Scotland is required to complete their return. Scots are reminded that failing to do so could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture said:

“I want to thank the two million households who have already completed the census and met their legal responsibility. But as we enter the final week many returns remain outstanding. For the census to be effective in delivering its many benefits for future public services, it is vital that we secure a higher response rate and one that reflects the diversity of our communities.

“Today we are calling on all of our communities and organisations to come together and to redouble their efforts to encourage participation. It’s absolutely essential that every householder in Scotland completes the census.”

National Records of Scotland Chief Executive Paul Lowe added:

“Every single household return is vital to the overall success of the census. Census data is vital in informing decisions about services that affect us all. We have put in place a number of additional interventions to support those who have yet to complete a return. This includes a range of additional household reminders. Our field team have already undertaken more than 750,000 household visits to support those who have not completed, and are continuing to make these visits.

“Help and support to complete your census is available on our website census.gov.scot or via our free helpline 0800 030 8308. Paper forms are still available on request for those who need them.”

Total Cumulative Household Return Rate by Local Authority

¹Data presents % households enumerated up to 4am on 25 April 2022

The 2022 census will benefit Scotland for many years; it 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 include use of British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, previous armed forces history and new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and trans status.

Census letters have been issued to more than 2.7 million households representing 5.5 million people.

A census of the population has been taken every 10 years in Scotland since 1801, with the exception of 1941, because of World War Two and in 2021 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

For more information and to complete the census online, visit census.gov.scot