Ethnic minorities
Why do you need to be included
Since the last census, 10 years ago, new communities have made Scotland their home. We need to understand the skills people bring, what education or translation services we need to provide - and where - and to make sure resources are allocated fairly.
That’s why everyone's included in the census on Sunday 27 March 2011, regardless of country of birth. If the census misses anyone, you or someone you know could lose out.
The census asks the same things of us all and all the personal information provided is kept confidential for 100 years. So your personal details are not shared with local councils, government departments, the tax office, the police or marketing agencies.
Find out how census statistics about people from ethnic minority backgrounds are used.
Highland Council - Equalities
Falkirk Council - Migration and ethnic community housing impacts
Aberdeen Council - Census migration and ethnicity statistics support Aberdeenshire housing strategy
What you need to do
People from outside the UK whose total length of stay will be six months or more must be included on the questionnaire at their usual UK address. If you stay in student halls that means you should receive an Individual Questionnaire. If you stay in private accommodation, or with family, you should be included on a Household Questionnaire in questions H1 to H3 and H13, and individual questions 1 to 38.
If your total length of stay here is less than six months and you are in private accommodation - such as a shared flat - you should be included in household questions H4 and H5, and the continuation of H5 at the end of the questionnaire.
Help and Support
Most of the census questions are multiple choice and can be answered by simply ticking a box. Translations of the questionnaire are available in 11 languages . These will help you to fill in the questionnaire, which you must do in English.
Our helpline can assist with other languages. You can read more about the census in:
- Arabic leaflet - PDF (1411KB)
- Cantonese leaflet - PDF (811KB)
- Polish leaflet - PDF (1400KB)
- Punjabi leaflet - PDF (583KB)
- Urdu leaflet - PDF (596KB)
All PDF documents will open in a new window.
You can also listen to our census advert in Punjabi and Urdu.
Want to know More?
I am not sure which ethnic group tick box to select.
Can I fill in the questionnaire in any language other than English?
English isn't my first language - what support is available?
I was not born in the UK, do I need to fill in a census questionnaire?
You can visit our Frequently Asked Questions for help or ask your census taker (enumerator).
Support for the census
African and Caribbean
The African and Caribbean Network (A&CN) Development Co-ordinator, Graham Campbell
'It is essential that Black and minority ethnic populations are counted in order that public resources can be fairly allocated to all sectors of society. government does this through the census which informs them about our level of housing overcrowding, poverty and likelihood of being in business or employment. The last census estimated that around 5,100 Africn and 1,800 Caribbean people lived in Scotland.
'It recorded Scotland's overall minority ethnic population as around two per cent of the nation, which now massively underestimates the real figure. This makes a real difference since population changes influence so many public services.
'In future we will have a better understanding of how many Zimbabweans, Nigerians, Congolese, Jamaicans and others live here. Knowing the size of your community matters as it helps to make the case for services and resources to be provided for them. That is why it is crucial that minority ethnic people are counted properly.'
Chair of Grampian Regional Equality Council, Philip Muinde
'In recognition of the identity and service needs of the growing and heterogeneous African community in Scotland, the Scottish Parliament decided in 2010 to distinguish between Africans and Caribbeans in the Scottish census and to create a separate 'African' category, with an opportunity to write in our geographic origin (eg 'Nigerian', 'Somali'). It is important that everyone in the African community takes advantage of that change by making our ethnicity clear. That is the only way to make sure that our community is fully recognised.'
Arabic
Scottish Arab Federation (SAFE), Adnan Miysar
“SAFE welcomes the important step of introducing a separate category to identify Arab as an ethnic group in the forthcoming Scottish Census for 2011. SAFE would like to encourage everyone within the diverse Scottish Arab community to get involved and be counted by completing their census questionnaire. The 2011 Census will have particular significance as, for the first time, we will be able to record accurate data about the Arab community within Scotland. Although there are historic links between the Arab world and Scotland that predate the Romans, this will be the first time the Arab community can be accurately defined.”
Chinese
Edinburgh Chinese School, Kathy Miller
“It's important that everyone from the Chinese community across Scotland takes part in the Census 2011. It will help each local authority to plan and allocate their resources more efficiently for us. We are proud to be part of the big picture.”
Chinese Business Manager, Gillespie macanderw LLP, Peter Ng
“It is vital that the Chinese communities of Scotland play their part in Scotland’s future by taking part in the 2011 Census and making sure they are fully represented
“Services such as housing, education and community services are important to us and affect how we live and participate in the wider community, so it’s crucial we have our say. By helping paint a picture of Scotland, Chinese communities are helping shape decisions which will impact on us and future generations.”
Polish
Fife Polish Association "Most", Maciej Dokurno
“I am very enthusiastic about the census and the positive impact it may have on Polish and all other international communities in Scotland. Information and statistics gathered by the census will be used to plan how billions of pounds worth of the national budget will be spent and how public services will be delivered. I very much encourage all members of Polish and other international communities to take part to make sure that census results reflect the fact that large international communities live and work here. People who are not familiar with the census may be afraid to share their personal details or be worried that the language barrier will prevent them from participating. All personal information will be kept secret for 100 years and help with translations is available to those who need it.”
Literacies in the Community Partnership, Renata Fraser
“I encourage ethnic groups, and especially Polish people, to play a part in Scotland’s future by completing the 2011 Census and making sure we are fully represented. All the personal information provided is protected by law and kept confidential for 100 years.
“The aim of the census is to collect statistics for planning purposes. Services such as housing, health and language resources for speakers of other languages are important, so it’s crucial that we have our say. By helping paint a picture of Scotland, ethnic communities are actively shaping the future for next generations. There is help available to complete the census through translations if English is not your first language.”
Punjabi and Urdu speaking communities
Central Scotland Interfaith, Dr Satwant Singh Multani
“The census is a colossal work that is only undertaken every ten years so it must be taken seriously by everybody.
“It will allow the government to assess the total number of Scotland’s inhabitants and the ethnicity of the population to ensure that essential services are planned and developed to meet the needs of all communities. Census information is vital to the provision of a wide range of public services, including health, education and transport for the benefit of the current and future generations.”
Edinburgh restaurant Oloroso Tony Singh
“It’s vital that members of the Asian community play a part in Scotland’s future by taking part in the 2011 Census and making sure they are fully represented.
“Census information helps the government plan for public services such as health and education so it’s crucial everyone has their say.
“By taking part in the census you’re also helping shape decisions which will impact on us and future generations.”
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