About the census « Scotland's Census: Shaping Our Future

About the census

The census is held at the same time throughout the UK. In Scotland, the National Records of Scotland (NRS) formaly the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) runs the census and the Registrar General is responsible for it. It is run in England and Wales by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

We protect all the personal information people give on the census and keep it confidential for the next 100 years.

Everyone must be included on a census questionnaire, and anyone trying to avoid taking part may be fined up to £1,000.

Our vision

To produce high-quality statistics for Scotland by holding a census on Sunday 27 March 2011.

Our mission

to inform householders about the census, particularly people who need help filling in the questionnaire.
to anticipate and respond to the needs of people and organisations who will want to use the data in future.

Filling in the questionnaire

You can fill in the census online if your paper questionnaire has an Internet Questionnaire Access Code on the front page. Download an example as a PDF (833 KB).

The Individual Questionnaire is for people who stay in accommodation other than a family home, managed residential accommodation.

2001 Census results

2001 Census results are available on Scotland’s Census Results Online (SCROL).

What makes the census special?

Registrar General said:

"The census is unique because it is the only survey to include everyone in the country. It asks the same questions of us all and in doing so builds a reliable picture of Scotland as a whole, as well as groups of people and local communities within it.

"The answers people give to each question produce a rich source of statistics that helps inform how billions of pounds worth of services are provided. For example, by telling us that you live in a rural community and that you don't have a car, you highlight the need for local public transport. Or by telling us you are a pensioner who lives alone and has a health condition, you highlight the potential need for community health provision in your area.

"This helps central and local government, health authorities, businesses and community groups to target resources to where they are needed."

Listen to details of the census for people who are blind or who have visual impairments which includes the help and support available to them.